There is a strange phenomenon found in many Arctic regions. There, the natural landscape often has large repeating patterns called ice-wedge polygons. Understanding why they exist and how they form has been a puzzle for many years. Today, scientists believe ice-wedge polygons form because of the extreme temperature swings in the arctic climate. During the cold
photosynthesis
Tiny but mighty: leaf miners take on aspen trees
Caterpillars might look small, but can they actually be harmful? Yes, if there are enough of them! Aspen leaf miners are moths as adults, but before that, aspen leaf miner caterpillars are incredible herbivores. In the spring, they lay their eggs on the surface of leaves, and they sink into the outer cell layer. When they hatch, the
Growing kelp for community
The activities are as follows: When thinking about farming, many people imagine fields of corn or soybeans, or even their own vegetable garden. All of these crops are grown on land, but what about growing food in the ocean? Alaska Natives who live along the coast have been harvesting kelp, a group of seaweeds, from the wild for thousands of
CO2 and trees, too much of a good thing?
The activities are as follows: The amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere has steadily increased since the start of the Industrial Revolution in 1750. This extra CO2 traps heat like a blanket, causing the global climate to warm. The resulting climate change effect is known and widely accepted in science. While scientists are certain
Too hot to help? Friendship in a changing climate
The activities are as follows: When given emergency instructions on a flight, you’re told to put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others. This is because if you run out of oxygen, you won’t be able to help others. Turning to nature, this same idea may be true when we look at relationships between two species.
Breathing in, Part 1
The activities are as follows: Photosynthesis is the process by which trees and other plants trap the sun’s energy within the molecular bonds of glucose (C6H12O6), a type of sugar. During photosynthesis, oxygen (O2) is released as a byproduct. For this reason, trees are often portrayed as the lungs of the planet “breathing out” oxygen. Oxygen is
The carbon stored in mangrove soils
The activities are as follows: Teacher Guide Student activity, Graph Type A, Level 2 Student activity, Graph Type B, Level 2 Student activity, Graph Type C, Level 2 Grading Rubric In the tropics and subtropics, mangroves dominate the coast. There are many different species of mangroves, but they are all share a unique characteristic compared to other trees
Are forests helping in the fight against climate change?
The activities are as follows: Teacher Guide Student activity, Graph Type A, Level 3 Student activity, Graph Type B, Level 3 Student activity, Graph Type C, Level 3 PowerPoint of images and diagrams Grading Rubric Digital Data Nugget on DataClassroom As humans drive cars and use electricity, we release carbon in the form of carbon dioxide
Urbanization and estuary eutrophication
The activities are as follows: Teacher Guide Student activity, Graph Type A, Level 4 Student activity, Graph Type B, Level 4 Student activity, Graph Type C, Level 4 Grading Rubric An estuary is a habitat formed where a freshwater river or stream meets a saltwater ocean. Many estuaries can be found along the Atlantic coast of
Coral bleaching and climate change
The activities are as follows: Teacher Guide Student activity, Graph Type A, Level 1 Student activity, Graph Type B, Level 1 Student activity, Graph Type C, Level 1 Grading Rubric Digital Data Nugget on DataClassroom Éste Data Nugget también está disponible en Español: Actividad para estudiantes, Tipo de gráfica A Actividad para estudiantes, Tipo de gráfica B