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Changes Ahoof: Could Climate Change Affect Arctic Caribou?

Provided by: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History |Published on: April 27, 2021

Lesson Plans

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Synopsis

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.

Subjects: Biology, Mathematics, Computer Science

Authors: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

Region: Polar Regions

Languages: English

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.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

Standards

Resource Type and Format