In this Data Puzzle, students analyze and interpret authentic data to trace 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 and ultimately make predictions about how Arctic organisms large and small may be impacted by the decline in sea ice.
Jon Griffith is an Curriculum Developer at CIRES. He works on several projects at CIRES as a curriculum developer, including the Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) international. Prior to joining the CIRES Center for Education, Engagement, and Evaluation Jon was most recently a middle school life science and physical science teacher at Mount Elden Middle School in Flagstaff, Arizona. Before becoming a classroom teacher, Jon was a graduate student at Northern Arizona University (NAU), receiving an MS in geology studying lake sediments as a proxy for past climate and environmental change. He earned a MAT-S (Master of Arts in Teaching Science) and NAU and a BS in Geology at Union College. He is passionate about connecting students to the natural world through authentic and engaging science curriculum.
