Changes Ahoof: Could Climate Change Affect Arctic Caribou?
Lesson Plans
Grades6, 7, 8Biology, Mathematics, Computer Science
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
What it is
- In this lesson provided by CLEAN, students explore how climate change is impacting populations of caribou in the Arctic.
- Students will run a computer model, analyze the results, engage in a discussion, and create a board game to demonstrate their learning.
Teaching tips
Positives
- The student activity sheet is well-constructed and easy to use.
- The educator references show a sample data output as well as the results of all nine variable combinations.
- Students create a board game to share with their classmates!
Prerequisites
- Be sure to review the background information with students so they understand how the two variables in the simulation affect caribou populations.
- Students will need to know how to do a percent increase/decrease calculation.
Differentiation & Implementation
- You can choose whether or not to have students create board games. Perhaps you can offer it as an extension or extra credit assignment.
- It may be best to group students of varying abilities while they explore the computer model.
- Students may also be interested in exploring this interactive map showing migratory patterns.
From the scientist review
This simple model allows students to analyze how two factors, snow depth and insect activity, could affect the population of caribou in the Arctic. This activity will show students one example of how climate change impacts different species. This resource is recommended for teaching.
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