How to Grow a Glacier

Articles/Websites

Grades3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8Earth and Space Sciences, History, Geography

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by TED-Ed

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What it is

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 tips

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.

From the scientist review

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.

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At a glance

Grades: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, History, Geography
Other types: Videos, Assessments, Interactive Media
Language: English
Location: Asia, Earth, Europe
Provider: TED-Ed
Authors: M. Jackson, TED-Ed
Published: April 27, 2021
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · D2.Geo.2.6-8 + 3 more

Core

College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards

D2.Geo.2.6-8Use maps, satellite images, photographs, and other representations to explain relationships between the locations of places and regions, and changes in their environmental characteristics.

Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.2Determine the main ideas and supporting details of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

MS-ESS2-4.Develop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth's systems driven by energy from the sun and the force of gravity.
3-ESS2-2.Obtain and combine information to describe climates in different regions of the world.

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What it is

Teaching tips

From the scientist review

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