Ice Core Research

• This interactive digital text provides in-depth information about why and how ice cores are important indicators of climate change.
• Students will learn how scientists collect ice cores and how they analyze them to understand more about Earth's climate history.

Positives

• The interactive digital text's home page has a linked table of contents, so students can click on the topic they want to learn about.
• The resource includes several interactive modules that help students understand how tools such as an isotopic ratio mass spectrometer work.
• Students can click on the "i" icons throughout the text to read more about certain topics.

Additional Prerequisites

• Teachers may want to introduce students to the topics of ice cores and climate change in a group setting before they use this self-paced resource.
• The graphics and layout of the resource look a little dated, but the interface is easy to navigate.

Differentiation

• Teachers could create comprehension questions in a Google form or on paper for students to complete as they work through the self-paced text.
• Before assigning this lesson, ask students to write down their responses to the following questions:
  • How do scientists know what Earth's climate was like in the past?
  • What could ancient ice tell us about the climate?
  • Can scientists access ancient ice? How?

• Consider pairing this resource with this interesting video tour of the National Ice Core Lab.