Parkwise - Glaciers of Kenai Fjords: Unit Outline

Glaciers Of Kenai Fjords: Unit Outline

Focus Concept: Glaciation

Sub-concepts: glacial movement, glacial formation, glacial erosion, plant succession

Generalizations:
Using research data about specific glaciers, we can determine the cause and effect relationship between ecological and geographical chance and glaciation. We can also predict future glaciation and its effect on the Earth.
Activity 1: Students will explore the relationship between glaciers and Earth's geophysical and biological systems.
Activity 2: Students will examine and assess the evidence for glaciation and apply that evidence to their own locale.
Activity 3: Students will explore the relationship between glaciers and Earth's climate.
Activity 4: Students will model geologic processes associated with glaciation and compare and contrast geologic features to determine the forces that shaped them.
Activity 5: Students will model some of the effects of glaciers on climate and sea level; explain the cause and effect relationships between glaciers and Earth's geophysical and biological systems; and, make predictions about the future impact of glaciation on Earth.
Activity 6: Students will plan an expedition to Exit Glacier, study its current state, make predictions about its future, and determine the impact any future changes might make on the park's natural environment and on surrounding ecosystems.
Final Activity: Students will investigate the skills and science disciplines involved in a study of the environment.

Information Sources:
Activity 1: Glacial Ice, Probability of Sea Level Rise summary, Rising Sea Levels;
Activity 2: Evidence for Glaciation, Seeing is Believing;
Activity 3: Temperature Readings;
Activity 4: A Photo Album of Exit Glacier, Ice or Water?;
Activity 5: Vegetation Stages of Exit Glacier's Outwash Plain, Modeling the Effects of Glacial Katabatic Winds on Flora;
Activity 6: Linking Sciences, Excerpts from a Master's Thesis;
Final Activity: Mission Glacier, Members of the Expedition Team, Glossary of Terms;

Guiding Questions

Critical Content (Students will know...)

National Standards Met

Skill Objectives (Students will be able to...)

Suggested Activity
Lesson Plans

How do glaciers change over time?

…the effects of glaciers on climate, landforms, sea level, flora and fauna.

…the history of glaciation on Earth.

…model some of the effects of glaciers on climate and sea level.

…explain cause and effect relationships between glaciers and Earth's geophysical and biological systems.

…make predictions about glaciation in the years to come and its effects on life.

…draw up plans to guide adjustment to the interaction of global warming and glaciers with the least disruption to life in the U.S.

Activity One:
Glacial Impact: What Does It Look Like?

Students will explore the relationship between glaciers and Earth's geophysical and biological systems.

How can modern researchers use historical evidence, such as explorers' journals and old photographs, to inform their studies?

... the importance of historical human records as evidence to support theories of geological formations, and the connections between glaciation and formations and between glaciation and the overall geological topography of Earth.

... search records, journals and use modern observations to support theories about geological formations.

…use records, journals and modern observations to make and support theories about the geological forces that created their local landforms.

Activity Two:
Geological Formations: Theories and Evidence

Students will examine and assess the evidence for glaciation and apply that evidence to their own locale.

What do changes in glaciers tell us about the dynamic nature of climate and its impact on Earth?

...facts and theories about relationships between glaciation and climate and arguments for and against the theory that retreating glaciers are strong evidence to support the theory of rapid global warming.

...model the effects of the advance and retreat of glaciers on climate.

…model the effects of climate change on the advance and retreat of glaciers.

...write about effects of the relationship between glaciation and climate on the Earth.

…debate argument that evidence for world wide glacial retreat is strong evidence in support of the theory of rapid global warming.

Activity Three:
Glaciers "Talk": The Impact of Climate on Earth

Students will explore the relationship between glaciers and Earth's climate.

How does Exit Glacier affect the landscape of Kenai Fjords National Park and how do we know?

... the identifying characteristics of landforms associated with glaciation.

Science

English

Geography

... model geologic processes associated with glaciation.

…compare and contrast geologic features to determine the forces that shaped them.

Activity Four:
Impact of Glaciers on the Landscape

Students model geologic processes associated with glaciation, and compare and contrast geologic features to determine the forces that shaped them.

How are the ecosystems of Kenai Fjords National Park affected by changes in Exit Glacier?

... the meaning of ecological succession and its relationship to glaciation, methods of geologic and biologic dating (dendrochronology) techniques, biological factors associated with glaciation and abiotic factors of floral growth.

…model some of the affects of glaciers on climate and sea level.

…explain the cause and effect relationships between glaciers and the Earth's geophysical and biological systems.

…make predictions about glaciation in the years to come and its effects on life.

…draw up plans to guide adjustment to the interaction of global warming and glaciers with the least disruption to life in the U.S.

Activity Five:
Impact of Glaciers on Plant Life

Students model some of the effects of glaciers on climate and sea level; explain the cause and effect relationships between glaciers and the Earth's geophysical and biological systems; and, make predictions about the future impact of glaciation on Earth.

Why does the study of glaciation at Kenai Fjords National Park involve a variety of sciences and how do those sciences interact?

... how and why many scientific disciplines interact within the context of a scientific experiment or exploration.

Science

English

Geography

…plan an expedition to Exit Glacier.

…study the current state of Exit Glacier.

…make predictions about the future of Exit Glacier.

…determine the effect of any future changes on the natural environment of Kenai Fjords National Park and surrounding ecosystems.

Activity Six:
Studying Glaciation: One Subject, Many Sciences

Students plan an expedition to Exit Glacier, study its current state, make predictions about its future, and determine the impact any future changes might make on the park's natural environment and on surrounding ecosystems.

How can you work as a team to create and implement a scientific study?

… that scientific study of an ecosystem requires the participation of scientists representing more than one discipline and that scientific studies contribute information needed to formulate plans to manage Earth's fragile and significant biospheres.

Final Activity:
Going on a Scientific Treasure Hunt in Kenai Fjords National Park.

Students will investigate the skills and science disciplines involved in a study of the environment.

> Final Activity >

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