March 24, 2008 Thus it Begins!
Fairbanks is a fond memory, my knowledge of computers and the functions they can perform has been vastly enhanced, and well now it is time to get down to business, the business of IPY, PolarTREC and bringing my students into the fascinating world of these precious ecosystems.
How does one prepare for a month on the Bering Sea, even more intriguing is how does a teacher prepare students to learn about an ecosystem that is as alien to them as, well eating broccoli.
After completing the amazing PolarTREC training in Fairbanks, I realized that my enthusiasm would easily translate to my students so I needed to begin our polar unit directly upon my return. Thus we began our journey to the poles!
Day one was the discussion; you know when you sit down with a literally "captive” audience and present your plans for the next two months. In my classroom, unfortunately science is a bad word, associated with boredom, past challenges and well not fun…but to engage my students into this amazing learning unit I used the UV radiation beads provided by Robin Ellwood at our Fairbanks training.
Giavanna With her UV Beads!
Giavanna and her beads, can you see evidence of UV radiation?
I needed a hook, and well this was it. We experimented with the relationship between temperature and UV radiation, discussed how UV gets to the earth, our magnetic field, vegetative responses to UV, how it differs from humans, and how UV changes dependant upon your location and elevation upon this amazing planet. We discussed pros and cons, and then well, the whammy, how would an ecosystem develop with six months of dark and alternately six months of light. This idea not only intrigued my learners, but was the open door, allowing me access to the world of inquiry because finally… I had their interest.
Because I have the pleasure of teaching all curricular subjects we are also researching scientists that research the poles, people who make their living through the study of the Earth. A hydrologist is new, a biologist known and well a person who studies phytoplankton is as good as an alien. And thus it continues our journey into the mysterious. Our first steps taken, we now embrace the poles with wonder and let me tell you questions abound. How do people go to the bathroom in Antarctica, why are jellyfish important, and most importantly, how does this affect me, a middle school student here in Flagstaff, Arizona where the trees are Ponderosa Pine, and well water a precious limited resource.
FOR MY STUDENTS:
Did we find a relationship between UV radiation and temperature?