Where Have All the Glaciers Gone?

Where Have All the Glaciers Gone?
http://eo.ucar.edu/educators/ClimateDiscovery/LIA_lesson4_9.28.05.pdf

National Center For Atmospheric Research

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In this activity, students examine images of alpine glaciers to develop an understanding of how glaciers respond to climate change. They record, discuss, and interpret their observations. They consider explanations for changes in the size and position of glaciers from around the world. They develop an understanding that the melting (retreat) of glaciers is occurring simultaneously on different continents around the world, and, thus, they represent evidence of global climate change.

Activity takes about 1 class period to complete.

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See how this Activity supports the Next Generation Science Standards»

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Middle School

Performance Expectations: 1

MS-ESS3-5: Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century.

Disciplinary Core Ideas: 1

MS-ESS2.D1: Weather and climate are influenced by interactions involving sunlight, the ocean, the atmosphere, ice, landforms, and living things. These interactions vary with latitude, altitude, and local and regional geography, all of which can affect oceanic and atmospheric flow patterns.

Cross Cutting Concepts: 3

Stability and Change, Patterns, Scale, Proportion and Quantity

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Stability and Change, Patterns, Scale, Proportion and Quantity

MS-C1.2: Patterns in rates of change and other numerical relationships can provide information about natural and human designed systems

MS-C3.5: Phenomena that can be observed at one scale may not be observable at another scale.

MS-C7.1: Explanations of stability and change in natural or designed systems can be constructed by examining the changes over time and forces at different scales, including the atomic scale.

Science and Engineering Practices: 3

Analyzing and Interpreting Data, Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions, Asking Questions and Defining Problems

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Analyzing and Interpreting Data, Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions, Asking Questions and Defining Problems

MS-P1.1: Ask questions that arise from careful observation of phenomena, models, or unexpected results, to clarify and/or seek additional information.

MS-P4.2: Use graphical displays (e.g., maps, charts, graphs, and/or tables) of large data sets to identify temporal and spatial relationships.

MS-P6.1: Construct an explanation that includes qualitative or quantitative relationships between variables that predict(s) and/or describe(s) phenomena.

Grade Level

Middle (6-8)
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Climate Literacy

This Activity builds on the following concepts of Climate Literacy.

Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.

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Teaching Tips | Science | Pedagogy | Technical Details

Teaching Tips

Ideally students would do an analysis of the loss of glacier ice using a basic method of spatial analysis. Easiest way to do this would be to use transparent graphing paper on a map or an aerial photo.
Activity is part of a curriculum with additional relevant activities that can be found at: http://eo.ucar.edu/educators/ClimateDiscovery/
Quantitative aspects could be strengthened if students would do an analysis of the loss of glacier ice using a basic method of spatial analysis. Easiest way to do this would be to use transparent graphing paper on a map or an aerial photo.

About the Science

Very visual exercise that shows convincingly the response of alpine glaciers to global warming

About the Pedagogy

Well-presented short lesson – about 1 class period
Well-designed exercise that starts with a dramatic example from Switzerland, then offers the global perspective and finishes with a US glacier example. This assessment with an example from the south-western US makes it easier for US students to relate to the problem of glacial warming
Uses a Venn diagram to compare images -- a useful tool.
Performance assessment at the end is a good idea – students do postcards before and after from the same glacier
Interpretation of photos and discussions will engage students with different learning styles
Very worksheet oriented and not much data for students to ponder and analyze.

Technical Details/Ease of Use

Very well organized and easy to implement for teachers
Good section for teacher preparation

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Middle School (see details)