Why does the ice melt on the “Frozen Continent”?
In this lesson, students investigate various factors that can lead to surface ice melt in Antarctica by pairing a scientific mindset with hands-on exploration of datasets.
Context for Use
This is the fourth lesson of a five-part curriculum about Antarctic physical environments and ecosystems.
Blue ice area in front of the northernmost part of the Heimefrontfjella, East Antarctica.
Credit: N. B. Karlsson
Goals Header
What Students Will Do
- Use a Climate Reanalyzer tool to compare melt areas in Antarctica with climatological variables.
- Build, test, and confirm or refute hypotheses using the claim, evidence, reasoning framework for an argument
Teaching Materials
Description
Part 1 – (10 minutes) Introduction
The teacher introduces the lesson and the data which will be at the students’ disposal.
Part 2 – (30 minutes) Research
Students break up into small groups to form and explore hypotheses about what causes melt in Antarctica with the available datasets.
Part 3 – (20 minutes) Reporting Out
Student groups share whether they confirmed/disproved their hypotheses and why.
