Lesson Plans & Activities

Long-term Spatial Transformation of the Glacier Basin System text with tundra and glacier landscape in the background

PolarPASS Module 2: Long-term Spatial Transformations of the Glacier Basin System

Module 2 is designed to follow after Module 1. Instructors may choose to use Module 2 independently, but may want to consider some additional introductory materials if they are not beginning with Module 1.
Module 2 consists of four Units. The Units begin by exploring past ice margin retreat and processes of ice margin retreat and elevation change. The material then explores natural climate variability and anthropogenic forcings, and then examines potential future ice margin response to climate change.

Unit

Virtual field trip

University/College

Cartoon graphic of two people talking and the text "Conversation Guides"

Conversation Guide: Our Relationship with Water

This structured conversation guide is a great way to begin a dialogue about shared experiences with water in your community!
In this conversation, participants will explore their shared watershed and local ecosystems, and connect with neighbors through their common and unique experiences with water in the region. We hope individuals, families, and communities will share their memories and stories about water and come together to imagine a future they want for their communities.

Lesson

Middle School

High School

University/College

Out-of-school/Non-formal

Guía de Conversación: Nuestra Relación con el Agua | Conversation Guide: Our Relationship with Water

This structured conversation guide is a great way to begin a dialogue about shared experiences with water in your community!
En esta conversación, los participantes van a discutir su cuenca compartida y conectar a través de sus experiencias únicas y compartidas sobre el agua en la región. Esperamos que los participantes compartan sus recuerdos e historias sobre el agua y que se junten para imaginar el futuro que quieren para sus comunidades.

Lesson

Middle School

High School

University/College

Out-of-school/Non-formal

Grand Canyon National Park with image of canyon with red and orange rocks, and a winding blue river, and some green trees in the foreground.

We are Water Kahoot Trivia - Expert Level

Answer some fun trivia questions about the science of water and the geography of the Four Corners Region! Pick a level where you want to start and see how far you can go!
Challenge your students with expert level trivia from We are Water about the science of water and the geography of the Four Corners Region.

Game

Middle School

High School

University/College

Out-of-school/Non-formal

Alpine tundra vegetation with large boulder with snowy mountain range in the background

Exploring the Arctic

This is the first activity of a three-part curriculum about Arctic climate; the activities may be used independently or in sequence.
This activity introduces students to the Arctic and Arctic climate. Through a virtual exploration of the geography of the Arctic students become familiar with the region. They are then introduced to meteorological parameters that Arctic research teams use.

Lesson

STEAM Activity

Middle School

High School

University/College

Two scientists in large red parkas kneeling on the ground working on scientific equipment in a snowy landscape while a cold wind whips snow up around them.

Do you really want to visit the Arctic?

This is the second activity of a three-part curriculum about Arctic climate; the activities may be used independently or in sequence.
This jigsaw activity introduces students with Arctic weather data using a role-playing activity that has students read and interpret graphs while considering the optimal time to plan a research mission to the Arctic.

Lesson

Middle School

High School

University/College

A close up image of a grooved glacier in black and white

Exploring Arctic Climate Data

This is the third activity of a three-part curriculum about Arctic climate; the activities may be used independently or in sequence.
In this final activity, students use authentic Arctic climate data to explore albedo and its relationship to seasonal snowmelt as a self-reinforcing feedback mechanism, which is then applied to large scale global climate change.

Lesson

Middle School

High School

University/College

Lesson Plans & Activities