WHY FOCUS ON THE ARCTIC IN CLIMATE CHANGE INSTRUCTION?

Nowhere is the reality of climate change more evident than in the Arctic. The spring thaw is beginning earlier each year, the winter freeze is starting later, and glaciers are receding at an accelerated rate.

Images taken by NASA satellites show that the polar ice cap, the mass of sea ice that sits atop the Arctic Ocean year-round, is shrinking each year.

WHAT DO POLAR BEARS HAVE TO DO WITH GLOBAL WARMING?

Polar bears live only in the Arctic and as the sea ice continues to melt, the polar bears’ primary habitat becomes more threatened. Polar bears are incredibly specialized hunters that have adapted to life in the Arctic environment. The sea ice is their hunting grounds, and they depend on it for survival.

ABOUT THE POLAR BEARS & THE ARCTIC EDUCATOR’S GUIDE:

This guide’s activities are designed for grades 3-5, with extensions for younger and older students. These activities meet national standards for English/Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Visual Arts.

 

Click here to download the entire guide now.