Procedures for Using the Science Lesson Plans

Goal

The main goal of the science lesson plans is for students to understand the basic scientific concepts about Antarctica. These concepts include glaciers, the food chain, insulation, core sampling, wind chill, the ozone holes and plate tectonics.

All lessons can be used or they can be used independently of one another. The teacher determines the selection of topic, approach and order of the lessons. Lessons can be used to supplement weak student areas while the simulation is occurring or they can be used in place of the simulation.

Build Your Own Glacier
Students will create a glacier using water and stones.

Arctic vs. Antarctic
Students will determine the similarities and differences between the Arctic and the Antarctic regions.

Food Web
Students will research what food is eaten by a variety of Antarctic species and construct a food web.

Insulation
Students will experiment to find out what materials make good insulators.

Penguins
Students will do research on the Internet and find and write about characteristics of different penguins.

Cupcake Core Sampling
Students will model the actual taking of core samples by using a layered cupcake and a straw.

Wind Chill
Students will determine if wind does make a difference in temperature and will graph the results.

Ozone Holes
Students will become part of an expert group to find information on the ozone holes and will present their findings to the rest of the class.

Plate Tectonics
Students will make a model of the earth moving through plate tectonics and will write an explanation of the process.