How to Grow a Glacier
Provided by: TED-Ed|Published on: April 27, 2021
Grades: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Type: Articles/Websites
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, History, Geography
Authors: M. Jackson, TED-Ed
Region: Asia, Europe, Global
Languages: English
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 →
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 →
Synopsis
- This video explains how glaciers form naturally and how glaciers have been created artificially by people to support irrigation and water security for many centuries.
- Students will learn the interesting history of artificial glaciers and the benefits of each type.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This video offers a climate-related solution that many students may have never heard of or even knew was possible.
- It uses engaging animations, maps, and stories to entertain viewers while also educating them.
- The video webpage includes eight think questions, a dig deeper section with additional resources, and a discuss section with a guided prompt for discussion.
Additional Prerequisites
- Students must sign in to use the interactive features of the website.
- Students should know who Genghis Khan was.
- Students should have some geographic familiarity with the Himalayas, Karakoram, and Hindu Kush mountain ranges.
Differentiation
- Students can compare and contrast the benefits of a vertical glacier with a horizontal glacier.
- Students can draw a detailed image or write how-to instructions for creating an artificial glacier.
- Students can research the history surrounding the use of glaciers to stop Genghis Khan.
- Students can analyze how artificial glaciers can benefit the water supply and irrigation systems of a particular region.
- Other resources related to glaciers include this video about the collapsing Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica, this lesson about how environmental conditions impact glaciers, and this interactive media comparing images of different glaciers over time.
This resource highlights Stupa and it process, which is a local strategy for building livelihood resilience in a changing climate and glaciation period. The activity can only be replicated in latitudes that favor glaciers. This is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
