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Pilot Project and Workshop, Spring 2001

In spring 2001, MartinJeffries, Delena Norris-Tull, Ron Reihl offered a snow and ice research and content experience that was attended by four Fairbanks teachers. We met for workshops on three days during spring break, March 2001, and on three subsequent days in April 2001. The purpose was twofold: [1] to provide an opportunity for teachers to learn about and do some snow and ice science by participating in a genuine lake ice and snow research program, and [2] to learn from the teachers about what constitutes a good research and content experience, and how snow and ice could be used to provide such experiences for all Alaska teachers.

The workshop topics and activities were:

  • Day 1. Why we study snow and ice; Recent evidence for snow, ice and environmental change in the Arctic; Using snow and ice instruments and equipment at Aurora Pond, Fairbanks.
  • Day 2. Visit to Poker Flat to make measurements at snow and ice observatories on frozen ponds. Measurements included snow depth, temperature and density, and ice thickness.
  • Day 3. Snow and ice data analysis (calculation of snow thermal conductivity, snow temperature gradient and conductive heat flow); Talk on "High School Students Making Snow, Ice and Heat Flow Measurements and Calculations" by Marge Porter, Woodstock Academy, Connecticut.
  • Day 4. Computer Models: What Are They, and Why and How Do We Use Them?; Computer simulation of lake ice growth and decay.
  • Day 5. Snow, ice, science standards and inquiry in the classroom.
  • Day 6. Snow and ice research and content experiences for teachers; How do we proceed to develop a program for all Alaska teachers?

The four teachers who participated in this pilot project earned UAF credits for professional development through the School of Education. The teachers were:

  • Becky Adams, North Pole Elementary School
  • Ron Reihl, Tanana Middle School
  • Janet Ricker, West Valley High School
  • Sheri Roach, University Park Elementary School

Indoor and outdoor activities during the Pilot Project in spring 2001. Looking at the snow on ice at Aurora Pond (UL), Sheri and Delena calculating conductive heat flow (UR), Delena, Becky and Janet identifying equipment (LL), and Janet measuring snow depth at Aurora Pond (LR).
Indoor and outdoor activities during the Pilot Project in spring 2001. Looking at the snow on ice at Aurora Pond (UL), Sheri and Delena calculating conductive heat flow (UR), Delena, Becky and Janet identifying equipment (LL), and Janet measuring snow depth at Aurora Pond (LR).

Find out what the participants of this first workshop thought about their experience.

Fall Semester 2001

Based on this experience,in fall semester 2001 we offered a professional development class for credit through the UAF School of Education: Snow and Ice Research & Curriculum for K-12 Classrooms. We met on Monday evenings for two hours at the Geophysical institute and visited Poker Flat on Saturdays to make measurements of snow depth, density and temperatures, and ice thickness. The course content was very similar to that presented during the pilot project earlier in the year.

Spring Semester 2002

At the end of the fall semester class we had a group discussion that covered the class content and activities and its potential as a statewide science education activity. From a local perspective, it was recommended that we include more hands-on, minds-on snow and ice activities during the classroom sessions. Consequently, we offered two classes in spring semester: [1] Snow and Ice Research & Curriculum for K-12 Classrooms and [2] Teachers as Leaders in Snow and Ice Research & Curriculum for K-12 Classroom.

The first class was taught by Martin and he included more classroom activities to demonstrate snow and ice processes. As in the fall, we met on Monday evenings at the Geophysical Institute and visited Poker Flat on Saturday to make snow and ice measurements.

Classroom topics and activities included:

  1. Equipment quiz and use of the equipment to measure snow depth, temperature and density (Martin).
  2. Calculation of conductive heat flow through the snow cover, and manipulation of data to elicit the factors that control the heat flow and thus ice thickness (Martin).
  3. Classroom simulation of heat and mass loss from open and ice-covered water using simple equipment (Martin).
  4. Classroom simulation of reflectivity/absorption by snow-covered ice and open water (Martin).
  5. Demonstration of activities for learning the meaning of density (Jacqueline d’Auria).
  6. Heat flow from North Slope lakes and Poker Flat ponds (Martin).
  7. Growth, thickness and duration of lake ice, and ecological consequences (Martin).
  8. Snow and ice science, and evidence for recent Arctic environmental change and its effects (Martin).
  9. Sea ice physical processes and biological impacts in the Arctic and Antarctic (Martin).
  10. Presentation on Denali Elementary School Snow and Ice Day at Howard Luke Camp (Kathleen Meckel and Janet Speed).
  11. Presentation on Tanana Middle School snow and ice activities and demonstration of equipment used at school and at Aurora Pond (Ron Reihl).

The second class was taught by Delena and Ron, and focused on the development of snow and ice activities for use in the classroom. The teachers who took this class also gave presentations and demonstrations to the first class, as described above.