In terms of additional questions dealing with the science inquiry experience, does anyone have any extensions they have thought of or already done for a lab like this one? I would like some ways and ideas to take this lab one step farther and maybe incorporate more open-ended inquiry.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Melting Iceburgs Week 3 Thoughts
Reflecting upon question #9 from this week's Application Assignment, I was pleasantly suprised to find a question I ask my students each year when we talk about pollution and its total effect on our environment. I ask the question What would happen if the polar ice caps melt? I always get an array of answers from my 6th grade students and many of them are fascinating. What is sad and disappointing is that students often do not understand the immense effect pollution plays on our environment and our safety here on Earth. I explain to them that pollution causes a change in weather patterns, global warming, the greenhouse effect, etc. I also explain to them that if and really when the polar ice caps melt we will be in a world wide flooding crisis. Research states that if steps are not taken to go "green" the polar ice caps could melt within 50 years. Students are often blown away by this fact, as they will most likely still be alive in 50 years. I also explain that in the polar regions we are already seeing some melting which is causing changes in weather patterns and causing animals like the Polar Bear population to become very low and close to extinct.
In terms of additional questions dealing with the science inquiry experience, does anyone have any extensions they have thought of or already done for a lab like this one? I would like some ways and ideas to take this lab one step farther and maybe incorporate more open-ended inquiry.
In terms of additional questions dealing with the science inquiry experience, does anyone have any extensions they have thought of or already done for a lab like this one? I would like some ways and ideas to take this lab one step farther and maybe incorporate more open-ended inquiry.
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Hey Megan,
ReplyDeleteI too ask my students what would happen if...
Sadly, I find their is a large disconnect for many students. They just do not understand that they will experience the effects of global warming. I have found simulation that show what will happen to the United States when the ice caps melt, and students seem to respond more to visuals. Thanks for your post!
Hi Megan,
ReplyDeleteI think the first thing that comes to many students' minds is the flooding and changing of the coastline. The weather patterns would change as a result of this, but I typically have to lead them a little bit to get them to that realization. But so many things can and will change that I don't think we even know the scale yet to which changes will occur and changes we haven't even though of yet.
Hey Meg,
ReplyDeleteIt is hard for me as well to decide what to teach students and what not to teach them. I agree that students do not understand the consequences of our human actions. Many of the students who I teach deal with so many issues outside of school such a gangs, drugs and violence. I make it a point to create a positive environment. I need to learn how to address the issues of our world comfortably withoiut feeling as if I am depressing the students.