https://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/teaching_methods/google_earth/examples/northwest_passage.html
Glenn A. Richard, Mineral Physics Institute Stony Brook University , SERC On The Cutting Edge Collection
Activity takes about 80 minutes or multiple class periods with lots of room for variations. Computers with Internet access necessary.
Learn more about Teaching Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness»Grade Level
Regional Focus
Topics
Climate Literacy
This Activity builds on the following concepts of Climate Literacy.
Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.
Excellence in Environmental Education Guidelines
Other materials addressing:
B) Designing investigations.
Other materials addressing:
C) Collecting information.
Other materials addressing:
A) Processes that shape the Earth.
Other materials addressing:
E) Environmental Issues.
Other materials addressing:
A) Identifying and investigating issues.
Notes From Our Reviewers
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Teaching Tips | Science | Pedagogy |
Technical Details
Teaching Tips
- Developed for undergraduates, this activity could also be effectively deployed in high school geography or other courses.
- An educator might want to start this activity with a lesson on Google Earth.
- This activity opens the opportunity to explore the economic, political, and international issues associated with an open Northwest Passage.
About the Content
- Students use Google Earth and National Snow and Ice Data Center data to answer questions about global sea traffic and interference by sea ice.
- All answers are generated by using real data.
- Comment from expert scientist: Shows changes in the cryosphere, particularly Arctic sea ice. Begins with a case study of conditions in the Northwest Passage, which is a region of lore and whose changes in sea ice cover is impacting human activities.
About the Pedagogy
- Students are guided through the activity by answering questions that require analysis of maps or data.
- Google Earth component engages students in inquiry with visual images and accommodates different learning styles
- Students and instructors may need to devote time to learning how to use Google Earth if they are unfamiliar with it. Substantial guidance for using Google Earth is provided.
- Extensions can be made from this activity to address the Guiding Principle C (Impact of climate change may affect the security/commerce of nations.)
- This resource engages students in using scientific data.
See other data-rich activities
Technical Details/Ease of Use
- All links and information are available from the activity sheet.
- Instruction sheet and handouts are provided.
- Make sure you have enough computers and bandwidth to handle the data access.
Related URLs These related sites were noted by our reviewers but have not been reviewed by CLEAN
Direct link to activity- Word format: http://serc.carleton.edu/files/sp/library/google_earth/examples/activity_handout_students.v10.doc - PDF format: http://serc.carleton.edu/files/sp/library/google_earth/examples/activity_sheet_northwest_passa.v7.pdfScience @ NASA: A Chilling Possibility updated link: https://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2004/05mar_arctic