Lesson Plans by Dr. Chip

How Deep is this Glacier?

Grades: 5 - 12

Duration: Multiday unit - five 40 minute periods.

Goals:

• Students will gain understanding of the process of science.
• Students will learn how advanced technologies can be used to gather information about the natural world.
• Students will appreciate the value of mathematics in solving real world problems.
• Students will see that math and science are truly engaging and satisfying enterprises.

Objective:

Students will determine the depth of an Alaskan glacier using actual geophysical data.

How Long Does it Take?

Grades: 5 - 12

Duration: 50 minutes

Goals:

• Students will appreciate the slow movement of glaciers.
• Students will understand the danger posed by crevasses to glacier travel.
• Students will understand the relationship between time, distance and rate.

Objective:

Students will determine the time required for a crevasse "victim" to emerge out the front of a moving glacier.

Make Your Own Glacier!

Grades: 4 - 6

Duration: Two Class Periods - 45 minutes each.

Goals:

• Students will become more familiar with landforms associated with glaciers.
• Students will build a model to show the motion of a glacier.
• Students will gain more skill working cooperatively.

Objective:

Students will construct a three dimensional landscape to model the salient features of a typical valley glacier.