ALISON (Alaska Lake Ice and Snow Observatory Network) project dioramas, Horseshoe Lake, Denali National Park
and Preserve

These dioramas were designed by fourth and fifth grade students in Mrs. DeBlauw’s science class at Tri-Valley School in Healy, Alaska. The dioramas are group effort projects to depict the Horseshoe Lake setting of the ALISON (Alaska Lake Ice and Snow Observatory Network) project. The ALISON data collecting project is the brainchild of Kim Morris and Dr. Martin Jeffries, University of Alaska, Fairbanks.

Fourth and fifth grade students from Mrs. DeBlauw’s and Mr. Harris’ classes at Tri-Valley School measure ice thickness, snow depth, temperature and snow mass twice a month at Denali National Park and Preserve. The ALISON project exemplifies citizen science, and the important role elementary students can play as scientists collecting data to better understand our world.

The ALISON project is a partnership program between University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Denali Borough School District, and Denali National Park and Preserve.

This diorama was constructed by Maddison, Isabella and Halbe. The ALISON stakes and trees are depicted using pipe cleaners. Tin foil stands in for lake ice and the mountain is made of construction paper. All photographs by Marge Porter.

This diorama was constructed by Jordan, Kyle, Val and Stony. This diorama is made primarily of clay. Pictures explaining the set up of the ALISON site and of student making measurements are on the “walls”. All photographs by Marge Porter.

This diorama was constructed by Morgan, Filipka and Malia. The lake is made of clay and the snow is depicted using cotton balls. Note the pipe cleaner “clouds” along the top of the diorama walls and the beaver lodge made of toothpicks. All photographs by Marge Porter.

This diorama was constructed by Logan, Austin, Jonathan and Megan. Construction paper is the main component of this diorama. It also has diagrams showing how the TWIT (thermal wire ice thickness) gauge work. All photographs by Marge Porter.

This diorama was constructed by Cody, Isabel and Hunter. Tin foil is used to depict the lake ice surface, mountains are made of construction paper and the trees are made of clay.
All photographs by Marge Porter.

This diorama was constructed by Kayla, Makayla and Dominique. In this diorama the path to the lake and the staging area are shown in yellow clay. The benches in the staging area are shown with pipe cleaners. All photographs by Marge Porter.

This diorama was constructed by B.J., Spencer, Katerina and Timothy. The lake, trees and the access path are made of clay. The beaver lodge is show with toothpicks and the cotton balls are “snow”. All photographs by Marge Porter.

This diorama was constructed by Robert, Larisa and Bryant. The lake ice is made of clay, the snow is made from cotton balls and there is a picture of the students making ALISON measurements on one of the “walls”. All photographs by Marge Porter.

This diorama was constructed by Shawna, Molly, Aubrielle and Matthew. The lake ice is made of clay, the trees are made from pipe cleaners and the “walls” are covered with information about the ALISON measurements. All photographs by Marge Porter.

Malia shows ALISON scientist Kim Morris her group's diorama which was dispalyed in the Murie Science and Learning Center during Winterfest 2008 at Denali National Park and Preserve.

All photographs by Marge Porter.