The Polar Regions: Arctic Lessons

Polar Protection

This Polar Connections unit helps students ages 5-10 discover how different animals are adapted for Arctic climates by providing two experiments that let students learn about properties of polar bear fur, and seal/whale blubber, . Materials needed for the experiments are easily found in most homes and schools. These lessons are greatly enjoyed by students and the information provided the teacher is quite complete.

Standards: observing, comparing, design, modeling, inferring, communicating,
Life Sciences Standard 6: Understands relationships among organisms and their physical environment

Sunglasses Were Invented

A Polar Connections project for elementary students that focuses on the invention of sunglasses by the Inuit. This activity, which combines art and science, is really a lot of fun and allows students to express their creativity.

Life Sciences Standard 6: Understands relationships among organisms and their physical environment
Geography Places and Regions Standard 6: Understands that culture and experience influence people's perception of places and regions
Geography Environment and Society Standard 15; Understands how physical systems affect human systems

Digging Into the Past: Respectfully

This Polar Connections project is designed for students in middle school. Through the materials provided students will engage in a group discussion that challenges them to create solutions to topical, ethical dilemmas regarding anthropological research in regions inhabited by indigenous people. There are no right answers, but the activity allows students to experience the conflict that sometimes occurs between those that see a need to advance science and those who wish to preserve their traditions and land.

Standards: evaluating, public speaking, researching, problem-solving.
Geography Places and Regions Standard 6: Understands that culture and experience influence people's perception of places and regions
Geography Environment and Society Standard 15; Understands how physical systems affect human systems

Going to Extremes

This Polar Connections unit designed for middle school students includes the directions for three hands-on activities. Handouts are provided where needed. This site contrasts the Arctic environment with the Antarctic environment and helps the students discover some surprising facts.

Standards: observing, comparing, recording data, interpreting, inferring, communicating
Life Sciences Standard 6: Understands relationships among organisms and their physical environment

Nature's Deep Freeze

Designed for students 11 years of age and older, the two activities allow the students to model the processes of fossilization and compare the effects of four simulated environments on the preservation of organic materials. Materials are available in most homes and schools, but the fossilization activity can be a little messy.

Standards: observing, comparing, recording data, interpreting, modeling, analyzing, inferring

Polar Opposites

This discovery lesson for elementary students has student explore similarities and differences between the Arctic and Antarctic regions by having the students sort the materials found in a simulated explorer's trunk. Students use provided informational resources to determine how to sort the materials.

Standards: observing, comparing, interpreting, inferring, problem-solving
Earth and Space Sciences Standard 2: Understands Earth's composition and structure (fossils)

In The Footsteps of Sir Douglas Mausen

This lesson is in PDF format (can be read using Adobe Acrobat Reader) and will download on your machine when clicked. It is designed for students in grades 6-7. This is a complete lesson that has students learn more about the Arctic explorer Mausen. The lesson includes handouts and all information needed to complete the project. A similar lesson for students in grades 4-6 is also available.

Standards: adaptation to environment; earth processes, factors and processes influencing the natural environment.
Life Sciences Standard 6: Understands relationships among organisms and their physical environment
Earth and Space Sciences Standard 1: Understands atmospheric processes and the water cycle
Geography Places and Regions Standard 4: Understands the physical and human characteristics of place
Geography Places and Regions Standard 6: Understands that culture and experience influence people's perceptions of places and regions
Geography Human Systems Standard 9: Understands nature, distribution and migration of human populations