Tracing Carbon Through the Arctic Food Web
Satellite observations coupled with ecosystem models suggest that the decline in Arctic sea ice (caused by rising global temperatures) has led to an increase in ocean algae across the region and a decline in sea ice algae in parts of the Arctic. To predict how shifts at the base of the Arctic food web may affect other organisms, scientists seek to better understand Arctic feeding relationships by studying fat molecules. Scientists have discovered that ocean and sea ice algae make different types of carbon-based fats. Why does this matter? Well, these carbon-based fats are transferred to animals when algae are eaten, all the way up to polar bears and bowhead whales. Scientists have been able to measure the amount and type (ocean algae vs. sea ice algae) of carbon-based fat in Arctic animals to determine whether the animal's diet is more dependent upon ocean algae or sea ice algae.
In this asynchronous virtual workshop, we will review strategies for how to facilitate the Tracing Carbon Through the Arctic Food Web Data Puzzle in your middle and high school science classrooms. Participants will engage with the teaching materials (teacher guide, slide deck, student worksheet, and answer key) from both the teacher and student perspective and upon completion, be prepared to implement the Data Puzzle in their classroom.
Participants who complete and submit specified workshop tasks will receive a 3-hour PD certificate from the University of Colorado Boulder.
Explore this resource on the Data Puzzles website
