Arctic Animals 4–8 Teacher’S Guide

Arctic Animals 4–8 Teacher’s Guide

A SEAWORLD EDUCATION DEPARTMENT PUBLICATION

CONTENTS

Goals and Objectives ...... 2 Vocabulary ...... 2 The Arctic—Sitting at the Top of the World ...... 4 Life in the Deep Freeze ...... 5 A Frontier That Could Disappear ...... 6 Arctic Animals Shuffle ...... 6 How Low Can It Go? ...... 10 Scrimshaw Scribbles ...... 12 Polar Legends ...... 13 Lemming Lowdown ...... 14 Compass Capers ...... 16 Heat Keepers ...... 17 Hot Polar Debate ...... 18 Penguins in the Arctic? ...... 20 Pack Your Sled for an Arctic Exploration ...... 22 Bibliography ...... 24 Pre/Post Assessment ...... inside back cover National Science Education Standards Connections ...... inside back cover

To the Teacher The Arctic Animals Teacher’s Guide for grades 4–8 was developed at SeaWorld to help you teach your students—in an active, hands-on way—about the natural history of the Arctic and how people form an important part of this ecosystem. Our goal is to integrate science, mathematics, art, social studies, and language arts. SeaWorld curriculum supports the National Science Education Standards. The brief background information in this Guide was written for you, the teacher. It will help you do these activities with your students. We suggest you also refer to some of the materials listed on page 24 for more in-depth information. SeaWorld strives to provide teachers with up-to-date information and activities that motivate students to appreciate and conserve wildlife, the oceans, and the natural world. SeaWorld Teacher’s Guide

Goals of the Arctic Animals Unit Students will explore the natural history of the Arctic and recognize that humans are an interconnected part of this ecosystem. Objectives After completing the SeaWorld Arctic Animals unit, the student will be able to… 1. Trace the Arctic Circle on a map or globe and identify the latitude that defines this circle. 2. Identify the countries, ocean, seas, and bays that lie within the Arctic Circle. 3. Describe four physical characteristics of the arctic environment. 4. Place five arctic animals in their habitat. 5. List ways arctic animals keep warm during the arctic winter. 6. Explore the cultural diversity of Native Americans that make the Arctic their home. 7. Express a concern for how human activities may impact the arctic environment and the future survival of animals that live there. 8. Share their learning experience with friends and family.

Vocabulary

Arctic Circle — the imaginary line that ecosystem — a unit of plants, animals, encircles the globe at 66° 33" north and nonliving components of an envi- latitude. Arctic lands and oceans lie ronment that interact. within this circle. “Arctic” comes from hypothermia — a medical condition that arktos the Greek word , meaning bear. happens when a person's or an animal's blubber — an insulating layer of fat body temperature falls below normal. just below the skin of most marine ice floe — a flat expanse of floating ice. mammals. IAP — International Arctic Project. This conservation — taking care of our expedition crossed 3,218 km (2,000 mi.) environment by wisely managing its of arctic land on dogsled in the summer resources. of 1995. Team members conducted food chain — a simple straight-line research and collected data about the diagram that shows “who eats whom” arctic region. in an ecosystem. lair — the shelter of some animals; food web — a diagram that shows the used for birth and protection. May also many complex interconnections of “who be called a den. eats whom” in an ecosystem.

2 ©1998 SeaWorld, Inc. Arctic Animals 4–8 microscopic — very small; only visible scrimshaw — a form of Native to humans through a microscope. American art that uses animal bones North Pole — the geographic top of the and ivory. Artists carve pictures into the earth. Longitude lines converge here. bones and ivory, then stain the surfaces to highlight etchings. permafrost — permanently frozen soil sled found only in very high latitudes. — a low-running vehicle drawn by dogs, horses, or reindeer. Humans use pollution— harmful elements that alter sleds for transporting loads across snow or affect an environment in a negative and ice. way, such as chemicals that poison water tundra supplies or trash that clutters the ocean. — a treeless area between the ice cap and tree line of arctic regions, prey — an animal eaten by another animal. with a permanently frozen subsoil. predator — an animal that eats another animal.

The Arctic Circle rings the globe at 66°33" north latitude. North of this imaginary line lie the frozen lands of the Arctic.

L C IR C E IC T C FINLAND R SWEDEN A NORWAY r e e d v u i t u r R i m t RUSSIA a A l

h t r o

n ICELAND

3 3 A rctic Ocean

6 Sea of Okhotsk North Pole G REENLAND

Baffin Bay Chukchi Sea Bering Sea Beaufort Sea Gulf of St. Lawrence Y ay u en r k o n u ve R ag i A LASKA i S R r v e

e v i r Hudson Bay R

e c Gulf of Alaska n re w a CANADA L

permanent ice permanent ice tundra forests and ov er water ov er land other lands

The Arctic is the northernmost part of to graze. the earth. It’s cold in the Arctic. The Arctic Circle rings the globe at 66° 33" north latitude. North of this Ocean water temperatures often stay imaginary line lie the frozen lands of below the freezing point of fresh water the Arctic. Seven countries share the (0°C or 32°F). Dissolved salts and con- Arctic—Canada, Finland, Greenland, stant movement of the water keep it Norway, Sweden, Russia, and the from freezing solid. United States. On land, air temperatures average only 15.5°C (60°F) during the warmest The Arctic is not a continent. months. During the winter, weather can The North Pole sits on permanently be severe, with the temperatures falling frozen ocean water, not on land. Overall, to -70°C (-94°F). Strong winds can drop more than half of the Arctic is frozen ice temperatures more. The annual snowfall moving across the surface of the Arctic compares to the snowfall of Chicago; Ocean. No one can put a marker at the about 30 to 60 cm (12–24 in.). Trees are North Pole; ice constantly shifts and rare, and plants grow low to the ground. drifts in a clockwise direction, so mark- Because the Arctic is at the “top” of the ers soon become inaccurate. world, the sun may never rise above the Much of the soil in the Arctic remains horizon on some winter days and may permanently frozen, too. Called never set below the horizon on some permafrost, the top layer of the frozen summer days. For example, in soil sometimes thaws during the spring December, some days may be 24 hours and summer. The resulting cold, soggy, dark, but in June some days may be 24 soil allows plants to grow and animals hours light.

Portage Glacier in the Kenai Peninsula slowly moves down the mountainside, releasing ice and snow decades old to the sea.

Plants cling to ice and frozen ground. Microscopic plants called diatoms live under the ice in the Arctic Ocean. Other algae grow on permanent ice. Lichens (algae and fungi growing together) cover barren rocks. Mosses, grasses, flowers, and shrubs carpet the tundra. Most plants on the tundra grow only ankle high, hugging the ground to avoid the cold blasts of arctic winds. Short summers compress growing sea- The red fox and other land predators use sons that sometimes last less than two keen senses of smell and hearing to find months. Mosses and lichens grow in lemmings and other prey. spongy cushions, soaking up available moisture. Some birds, seals, and whales migrate south during the coldest arctic months. Animals cope with cold. Others stay year-round, protected by Shrimps, fishes, seals, walruses, and thick layers of blubber or dense coats of whales thrive in the cold, nutrient-rich fur. The arctic fox and grouse change waters of the Arctic Ocean. Caribou, colors; they are brown in summer, moose, and musk oxen roam the white in winter. tundra. Polar bears prowl the ice. Birds such as ptarmigans and snowy owls For thousands of years, people have live year-round in the cold weather. made the Arctic home. Many other animals visit arctic lands to Today, they include the North feast on summer plants and insects. American Inuits and Aleuts and the Siberian Yupiks. These people hunt, trap, and fish to survive. Native people often follow animal behavior for successful hunting and fishing. Like polar bears, hunters wait beside the breathing holes of seals to catch prey. Animal hides and fur protect human skin from the cold. Meals include high- energy blubber and fatty meat for the extra calories required to survive in the cold. On average, the diets of people Warm-blooded marine animals, like these living in cold climates has twice as walruses, have a think layer of blubber that many calories as the diets of people in helps retain body heat in cold ocean water. warm climates.

A Frontier That Could Disappear

The Arctic plays a critical role in The Arctic needs you. global health. As one of the last frontiers on earth, the Some ecologists describe the Arctic as a Arctic needs protection. You can help. mirror that reflects the health of the rest Here’s how: of our planet. The land plays a crucial q Learn all you can about the Arctic. role in worldwide weather and climate The more you know, the better you patterns. Rich habitats support a wide can help. variety of plants and animals. q Support other people who work to Until the mid-1800s, the Arctic protect the Arctic. These are two remained unspoiled, isolated from organizations to consider supporting: human exploration by its extreme • American Zoo and Aquarium Assoc. weather conditions. But today’s tech- 7970–D Old Georgetown Road, nology gives people easier access to this Bethseda, MD 20814 fragile habitat. Natural resources like gas, oil, and coal attract developers. • Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute (H-SWRI) 2595 Ingraham, Future success depends on wise use San Diego, CA 92109 of resources. q Do what you can to help the Arctic Development during the last 40 years right where you live. has left paved roads crisscrossing the • Recycle everything you can to help tundra, oil drill rigs dotting the coast- reduce your energy needs. line, and underground mines marking • Conserve your use of fuel. the frozen earth. Cities and construction • Support legislation that helps the sites have sprouted where people could environment locally and globally. never live or work before. The survival • Don't buy products that are made of both people and animals depends on from endangered animals. the intelligent conservation of land and ocean resources today. • Properly dispose of trash and household chemicals.

Arctic Animal Shuffle Use the cards on pages 7, 8, and 9 to help your students get started exploring arctic animals. Here are some ideas for ways to use these cards in your classroom: • Use the facts on the cards to help you prepare lesson plans and lead discussions in class. • Copy and cut apart the cards. Distribute a different card to each cooperative learning group. Visit the school library to learn more about the animals. Groups may even adopt that animal as their “mascot” while working on the Arctic Animals unit. • Copy and cut apart the cards. Distribute a complete set to each student or group of students. Students compare similarities and differences among various animals.

6 ©1998 SeaWorld, Inc. Arctic Animals 4–8 ©1998 SeaWorld, Inc. All Rights Reserved. ©1998 SeaWorld, Inc. All Rights Reserved. more than 4 m (13.1 ft.) more Oceans North Atlantic and Arctic various fish species such as herring, spiny eels, smelt, cods, and flatfish in addi- salmon, char, tion to marine mammals, most commonly seals none 28 to 30 cm (11–11.8 in.) standing, 28 to 30 cm (11–11.8 wingspan 53 to 58 cm (20.9–22.8 in.) North Atlantic Ocean small fishes; including sandeels, sprats, capelin, and small herring black-backed great on gulls prey adults. Herring gulls and lesser black-backed gulls steal eggs and young Atlantic puffin Fratercula arctica size: distribution: diet: predators: greenland shark greenland Somniosus microcephalus size: distribution: diet: predators: and young. weasels may steal eggs ©1998 SeaWorld, Inc. All Rights Reserved. ©1998 SeaWorld, Inc. All Rights Reserved. circumpolar at high northern hemisphere lati- at high northern hemisphere circumpolar tudes during the summer. Flies south to winter tudes during the summer. as far Travels of Antarctica. along the shores trip. 36,000 km (22,370 mi.) round 10 to 11 cm (3.9–4.4 in.), 17 to 20 g (0.6–0.7 oz.) 10 to 11 of the northern hemisphere tundra regions parts of plants, occasionally bulbs, roots, green and mosses foxes, snowy owls, arctic arctic skuas, and stoats. Lemmings form an important part of the food chain. arctic to 38 cm (15 in.) standing, wingspan to 81 cm (31.9 in.) small fishes, molluscs, and pelagic crustaceans skuas, stoats, foxes, and Snowy owls, arctic Sterna paradisaea size: distribution: diet: predators: collared lemming collared Dicrostonyx torquatus size: distribution: diet: predators: tern arctic

7 bowhead whale harp seal Balaenea mysticetus Phoca groenlandica size: 18.5 m (60.7 ft.) and 100 metric tons (220,400 lb.), size: to 1.7 m (5.6 ft.) and 130 kg (287 lb.), 8 SeaWorld Teacher’sGuide females generally larger than males males somewhat larger than females distribution: circumpolar in the Arctic but usually in the distribution: population centers in the northwest Atlantic Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas Ocean around Newfoundland diet: mostly planktonic swarms of krill and other diet: pelagic crustaceans and fishes such as capelin and small crustaceans herring. During the summer they also feed on arctic cod and polar cod found at high latitudes. predators: none, but hunted by humans predators: polar bears and killer whales

beluga whale ringed seal Delphinapterus leucas Phoca hispida size: males to 4.6 m (15.1 ft.), 1,500 kg (3,307 lb.) size: to 1.5 m (4.9 ft.) and to 70 kg (154 lb.), females to 4 m (13.1 ft.), 1,360 kg (2,998 lb.) males somewhat longer than females distribution: Arctic Ocean and adjoining seas distribution: widespread and abundant in arctic waters; they breed and dig out birthing lairs in land-fast ice. diet: primarily bottom-dwelling animals such as flounder, octopuses, crabs, shrimps, clams, diet: depending on location and season, amphipods, snails, and sandworms shrimps, squids, cods, and sculpins predators: killer whales and polar bears predators: polar bears and killer whales

©1998 SeaWorld, Inc. All Rights Reserved. ©1998 SeaWorld, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Atlantic cod polar bear Gadus morhua Ursus maritimus size: to 1.8 m (5.9 ft.) and to 91 kg (201 lb.) size: males to 3 m (9.8 ft.) and to 650 kg (1,433 lb.) females to 2.5 m (8.2 ft.) and 250 kg (551 lb.) distribution: Arctic Ocean south to Virginia distribution: circumpolar Arctic diet: molluscs, crustaceans, and bottom plants diet: mostly ringed and bearded seals, occasionally predators: fishes, whales, and seals harp seals, hooded seals, and young walruses. Polar bears also eat the carcasses of beluga whales, narwhals, and bowhead whales predators: none

narwhal walrus Monodon monoceros Odobenus rosmarus size: to 4.5 m (14.8 ft.) and 1,500 kg (3,300 lb.), size: males to 3.6 m (11.8 ft.) and 1,700 kg (3,748 lb.) males usually larger than females females to 3.1 m (10.2 ft.) and 1,250 kg (2,756 lb.) distribution: circumpolar in the Arctic above 65°N latitude distribution: circumpolar with distinct populations concentrated in the Bering, Chukchi, and Laptev Seas and diet: squid, polar cod, bottom-dwelling fish, and around northeastern Canada and Greenland crustaceans diet: molluscs, mainly bivalves such as clams predators: occasionally killer whales; polar bears may feed on carcasses predators: Polar bears and killer whales prey Arctic Animals4–8 on young and injured adults. 9

OBJECTIVE MATERIALS Students will investigate how salt and one set per student group: other dissolved solids can lower the ❑ copy of How Low Can It Go? freezing point of water. funsheet on page 11 ❑ BACKGROUND two plastic bowls ❑ two thermometers Pure water freezes at 0°C (32°F). When substances, such as salt, dissolve in ❑ water water, water molecules have difficulty ❑ salt locking together to freeze to a solid. Salt ❑ water freezes at a lower temperature, measuring cup about -2.2°C (28°F). As this water ❑ freezer freezes, the salt (sodium chloride) is pushed out. Solid ice is mostly fresh water. The remaining liquid water under ice becomes saltier as more water freezes.

ACTION

1. Measure water to fill bowls three- location for each bowl. As the sur- quarters full. Record amount of face water freezes solid, use a blunt water used. pencil to chip a small hole for the 2. Take the water temperature of each thermometer. bowl. Record results. 7. Repeat steps 1 through 6 again using 3. For one bowl, mix in one tablespoon sugar, baking soda, or cornstarch as of salt per cup of water used. Stir to the dissolved substance. Does this dissolve. (This will approximately make a difference in the rate or equal the salt in ocean water.) degree of freezing? 4. Record temperature again. It should DEEPER DEPTHS have remained the same. Leave the bowls overnight in the 5. Place both bowls in the freezer side freezer. Check the bowls in the by side. morning. Do both bowls freeze 6. Observe the bowls every 15 minutes, solid? If not, why not? (Hint: let noting if ice has formed across the students taste the unfrozen water top of the bowl. Also record water in the bottom of the bowl. Is it temperatures for each bowl. Be care- salty?) Ice floes can have pockets ful to place thermometer in the same of liquid brine—super salty water.

water without salt water with salt amount of water initial temperature temperature after mixing temperature in freezer after

15 minutes

30 minutes

45 minutes

60 minutes

75 minutes

90 minutes

105 minutes

120 minutes

temperature after 24 hours

OBJECTIVE MATERIALS Students will learn about art of Native ❑ paper Americans by recreating examples ❑ pencil using simple materials. ❑ cutting board ❑ large, soft bar of white floating soap ❑ plastic knife ❑ black water-based paint ❑ paintbrush ❑ illustrations of scrimshaw (see Bibliography on page 24)

BACKGROUND Many Native American artists use animal bones and ivory (tusks) in their art. One of the most popular uses is to carve pictures into them. The artists stain the bone or ivory to bring out the highlights of their etchings. This type of art is known as scrimshaw.

ACTION

1. Show illustrations of scrimshaw. board. Use the plastic knife to scrape Native Americans often carve ani- off the soap's brand name. mals found around them—polar 5. Place the paper sketch on the soap bears, walruses, ravens, and whales. bar. Trace the lines on soap using the Discuss a few other animals students blunt side of the plastic knife. might see if they lived in the Arctic. 6. Remove the paper and use the plas- 2. To begin the activity, place the bar of tic knife to carve details and shape soap on the paper and have students the soap. draw an outline of the soap shape. Remove the bar of soap. 7. After soap is carved, paint the area with black water-based paint. Allow 3. Students should sketch their animal to dry for about 5 minutes. on the piece of paper within the outline of the soap shape. Lines can 8. Lightly run water over the soap to touch the edges. Simple sketches remove excess paint. The paint result in the best carvings. should remain in the carved areas. Let the bar of soap dry for at least 4. Place the soap bar on the cutting two hours.

OBJECTIVE MATERIALS Students will read legends about arctic ❑ paper animals, nature, and people. They will ❑ colored pencils or markers explore story characters and create ❑ arctic legends of their own. books listed below or other reference materials

BACKGROUND Myths, legends, historical accounts, and storytelling have been a part of Native American life for centuries. Without established written languages, people remembered and recorded historical events and traditions through oral presentations. Legends often explain natural phenomena, how and why the world behaves as it does. Books that relate Native American legends include: The Wolf and the Raven. Totem Poles of Southeastern Alaska, by Viola E. Garfield and Linn A. Forest, University of Washington Press, 1961; Tlingit Tales, Potlach and Totem Poles, by Lorie K. Harris. Naturegraph Publishers, 1985; and Tlingit, Their Art, Culture and Legends, by Dan and Nan Kaiper, Hancock House Publishers, 1981. Northwest Coast Indians, by Mira Bartók and Christine Ronan, GoodYear Books, 1993. Inuit stories can also be found on the Internet, key words inuit legends and inuit authors. Learn about Inuit life at http://siksik.learnnet.nt.ca/ Inuuqatigiit/titleopage.html or about tra- dional Inuit whale hunting at http://www.usask.ca/education/ideas/tplan/sslp/ aborigin/trad.htm Visit the Emily Ticasuk Ivanoff Brown Elementary School at North Pole Alaska at http://www3.northstar.k12.ak.us/Schools/tic/tic.html

ACTION

1. Divide students into groups of four 4. Ask student groups to create an or five and distribute reference original story outline. The outline materials. should include a main character 2. Read selected legends and stories found in the Arctic, supporting char- aloud to class or individually in acter(s) (at least one), and action. groups. Action could include a conflict and resolution plot or a problem-and- 3. As a class or in groups, discuss the solution plot. following points. What parts do these legends have in common? Do 5. Students can present their outlines to they center around a theme or set of the class. As an option, students themes. For example, does a legend could illustrate outlines with paint- Scrimshaw explain the creation of the earth, ings or sketches. Scribbles moon, or stars? on page 12 would also supplement this activity.

OBJECTIVE MATERIALS Students will chart and graph hypotheti- ❑ copies of Lemming Lowdown cal population levels and predict the funsheet on page 15 effect of lemming population increases ❑ pencils and decreases on other animals.

BACKGROUND Arctic animal populations living on the tundra often follow multiyear cycles of repeated explosions and crashes in the numbers of individuals. Changes in the rates of reproduc- tion and mortality cause these dramatic fluctuations. This is especially true of animals that rely on one major food source. Lemmings—small furry rodents that live underground and eat plant matter—follow such a cycle. When food sources are plentiful, lemmings reproduce quickly. A female lemming can give birth to up to eight babies every five weeks. As the population grows, food becomes scarce and living spaces become crowded. Eventually, lemmings leave the area they are in and move to find a new one. Often thousands of lemmings migrate at the same time.

ACTION

1. Read BACKGROUND above, ANSWER KEY discuss food chains, food webs, and predator-prey relationships. 120 lemming actual 2. Copy and distribute Lemming 90 prediction Lowdown funsheet to individuals or student groups. 60 thousands 3. Have students plot data points on 30 the graph provided. 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 4. Using these data points as a base, have students estimate the next snowy owl 1200 four-year population cycle assuming ermine arctic fox that environmental conditions 900 remain stable. 600 5. Have students estimate the population variations of predators that feed 300 on lemmings, such as snowy owls, 1993 1994 1995 1996 ermine, and arctic foxes.

As a field biologist you have been studying lemmings along the tundra regions of Scandinavia and northwest Russia. You have spent the past five years with a small population that usually lives in a 100-acre area. Using various tagging techniques, you have been able to estimate the populations for the following past years. Here is your data: year estimated numbers 1989 50,000 1990 85,000 1991 134,000 1992 20,000

To continue your studies, you need to write a report predicting future population numbers through 1996. You also need to predict population numbers for animals that eat lemmings: the snowy owl, the ermine, and the arctic fox. About 1,000 lemmings will support four breeding pairs of snowy owls, 10 breeding pairs of ermine, and one breeding pair of arctic foxes. Use the chart below to fill in your graph. Add lines for snowy owls, ermine, and arctic foxes. NUMBER OF ANIMALS

YEARS

OBJECTIVE MATERIALS Students will build a simple compass per student pair: and use it to find their way along ❑ large darning needle a course. ❑ magnet ❑ masking tape ❑ small pan or saucer ❑ water ❑ sheet of 8-1/2" x 11" paper ❑ slice from bottle cork ❑ cookie sheet

BACKGROUND Small, lightweight, and easy to use, the compass showed early explorers which direction was north regardless of harsh weather or terrain. The magnetic field of the earth aligns magnetized compass needles in a general north/south direction. Magnetic poles and geographic poles are not at the same places, though. And over time, magnetic poles move from place to place. Today the magnetic south pole centers around Hudson Bay, Canada, about 2,092 km (1, 300 mi.) from the geographic north pole. Old basalt rock rich in iron shows magnetic poles switching north and south during certain periods.

ACTION

1. Distribute materials and have stu- west on the paper. (Ask students in dents assemble on flat table or desk. which direction the sun rises and sets.) 2. Magnetize the darning needle by 7. Students can try the compass in the sliding one end of the magnet along schoolyard. Have each pair sketch a the needle in one direction at least map of schoolyard landmarks. Pairs ten times. hide an object in the schoolyard, not- 3. Tape the needle to the piece of cork. ing directions on the map. Students then exchange maps and use the 4. Pour enough water in the pan or compass to find the hidden objects. saucer to float the cork and needle. 5. Watch as the needle settles into a DEEPER DEPTHS north/south direction. All the needles Given the materials above, have should point in the same direction. students create a compass without 6. When the needle has settled, have listening to verbal instructions or students mark north, south, east and reading written directions.

OBJECTIVE MATERIALS Students will investigate how the shape one per student: and volume of body forms affect ❑ three cups hot oatmeal heat loss. ❑ two thermometers ❑ shallow baking sheet or pan ❑ five 10" square sheets of wax paper ❑ measuring cup ❑ large spoon

BACKGROUND In the arctic environment, temperatures often drop below -70°C (-94°F). Warm-blooded mammals have many ways of keeping warm. A larger body size and a smaller amount of surface area exposed to the cold is one way to conserve body heat. For example, the ear flaps of an arctic fox are much stubbier, shorter, and more rounded than the ears of a prairie-dwelling kit fox. When resting, small animals curl into a round ball, tucking feet and nose under fur.

ACTION

1. Place 1/2 cup of oatmeal each on on one sheet and one cup of oatmeal two sheets of wax paper. on another. 2. Quickly record the temperature of 6. Quickly record the temperatures of each lump. The temperatures should each lump. The temperatures should be similar. be similar. 3. Using the wax paper as a wrapping, 7. Using the wax paper as a wrapping, shape one lump of oatmeal into a shape both lumps of oatmeal into a round shape. Use the large spoon to ball. The one-cup lump will be larger. flatten the other lump out to about 8. Record the temperatures of the oat- 1/2" thickness. meal every minute. Which shape cools 4. Record the temperatures of the oat- faster? Why? (Once again, more surface meal every minute. Which shape area per volume dissipates heat faster.) More surface area cools faster? Why? ( 9. Using the results of this experiment, per volume dissipates heat faster.) have students hypothesize the best 5. Once oatmeal lumps cool to room body shape for a warm-blooded ani- temperature, begin another experi- mal to conserve body heat in the ment using two new sheets of wax cold Arctic. (large and round) paper. Place one-half cup of oatmeal

OBJECTIVE MATERIALS Students will research available litera- ❑ copy of player cards on page 19 ture for factual information and logically ❑ access to resource materials argue a point of view. They will demon- strate real-life decision making processes and evaluate outcomes.

BACKGROUND Arctic land and the surrounding waters hold vast mineral resources—coal, natural gas, oil, gold, and stocks of fishes. During the past 40 years, humans have begun to mine, drill, and collect these resources for use in other areas of the country or world. With increased development comes the possibility of oil spills, pollution, excessive silting of rivers from mining, and the decrease of fish stocks. As the human population continues to grow, individuals must make wise decisions about how to conserve resources to gain the best long-term use.

ACTION

1. Divide students into four groups. student groups time to familiarize Each group will represent a different themselves with the situation. faction in an environmental issue. Students can gather additional The issue at hand is the wise use of information from books, magazines, natural resources. newspapers, and journals from • Group One is the local towns- special interest groups. people. 3. When all groups are ready, stage a • Group Two is a team of conserva- town council meeting. Groups tion specialists who have been should choose one spokesperson to studying resource management. present group views. Mediate between the groups. At the end of • Group Three is a group of the meeting, have townspeople vote industrialists who want to use on the appropriate action. the natural resources. 4. After the activity is over, discuss how • Group Four represents fishermen conservation issues are complex who use the area. problems that affect people as well 2. Copy and distribute the player cards as animals. to the student groups. Familiarize yourself with the scenario by reading all four player cards. Give the

18 ©1998 SeaWorld, Inc. Polar Debate Scenario: A small town of 500 people live along the Alaskan coast. The area is rich in oil and natural gas but not easily accessible. Removal of oil and gas will mean building roads and level work areas that would destroy many acres of wilderness. Some industries want to develop the area. The townspeople who own the land must decide what is best—to begin development or to find another source of revenue to help keep the town alive. LOCAL TOWNSPEOPLE You live in a small town of only 500 people. Most people earn a living by fishing in- shore or hunting in the local mountains. Most young people who grow up here move to bigger cities to find jobs. Your town is slowly dying. Without another source of income, most people will move away in 20 years. You and your friends agree that you would like a better life.

CONSERVATION SPECIALISTS You and your team have been studying the area for many years. You know the forests hold many different animals—deer, fox, bear—along with oil and gas deposits deep underground. You have been assigned to find alternative ways for the townspeople to find income. You want to find a balance between use of the natural resources and impact on environment. In general, you see industrialists as money grabbers who do not care about the environment or the townspeople. Your team has found out that the resources will be depleted in 20 years if development continues at its present pace. The ecological damage from mining and drilling will be expensive to fix.

INDUSTRIALISTS Your company sees many opportunities to mine and drill for oil in the town's local mountains. Your field experts confirm that there are deposits of oil and natural gas, although they can not tell exactly how much. Your company is willing to begin development. If successful, the money generated from the oil sales will double the company's profit. Company employees also will earn big bonuses. To help convince townspeople, your company is willing to pay for a new indoor recreation center. The center will create 20 new jobs and allow high school athletes to train here instead of in the city. Your company will also pay the town $1,000 per acre for leasing the land.

FISHERMEN You feel the town can make a turnaround with traditional activities. You feel fishing will improve in the coming years and more young people will stay to help fish. If the mining and drilling is conducted in the mountains, the rivers will carry more silt. The silt will clog the bay and fish will die.

OBJECTIVE MATERIALS Students will understand the differences one set per student pair: between the Arctic and the Antarctic and ❑ copy of page 21 with puzzle the animals that live in each habitat. pieces cut apart ❑ 8-1/2" x 11" construction paper, any color ❑ glue ❑ markers BACKGROUND Although the Arctic and the Antarctic appear similar, these regions have very different characteristics. The Arctic is an ocean ringed with land masses while the Antarctic is a continent surrounded by the Southern Ocean. The Arctic has less severe winter temperatures— -70°C (-94°F) verses -88°C (-126 °F) in the Antarctic—and the land supports extensive plant life during the summer months. Large land predators such as polar bears, wolves, and foxes live on the tundra. The largest land animal in the Antarctic is a tiny insect.

ACTION

1. Using a large writing surface, draw hypothesize which animals live at two columns, one labeled Arctic and which pole. the other Antarctic. 7. Students use the remaining puzzle 2. Ask students to describe a few pieces to create the correct food web. differences between these two How many pairs of students places. These could be climate, guessed correctly? human exploration, land area, ocean 8. Have students compare the animals area, or others. that live in the Arctic and the 3. Divide students into pairs. Antarctic. Relate the prime differences discussed earlier in step 2 to 4. Distribute cut up puzzle pieces and characteristics of the animals that construction paper. allow them to survive in one region 5. Fold the construction paper in half but not another. along the width. Label the top half 9. Based on the food webs created, “Arctic” and the bottom “Antarctic.” have students infer why penguins 6. Using only the puzzle pieces with would probably not survive in the animal images, ask students to Arctic. Why couldn't polar bears survive in the Antarctic?

Adélie squid penguin

killer whale leopard seal

polar harp bear seal

cod fish lemming

tern fox

OBJECTIVE MATERIALS Given limited resources and various ❑ copies of map on page 23, methods of travel, students will chart a enlarged 130% on 11" x 17" paper course across the Arctic. ❑ ruler ❑ pencils ❑ reference books on arctic explorers such as Frederick A. Cook, Sir Hubert Wilkins, Robert E. Peary, Matthew Henson, or Will Steger BACKGROUND Early arctic explorers needed to plan carefully in order to survive harsh environmental conditions. Even with modern communication and travel technologies, arctic explorers today must also plan carefully. Food shortages, broken gear, and worn shelter can all bring disaster to an expedition. Modern-day arctic explorers include Will Steger and the International Arctic Project. The research team traveled from the Russian arctic island of Severnaya Zemlya in March, 1995, to Resolute, Canada, in July, 1995. A daily journal of the trip is available on the Internet. Find http://ics.soe.umich.edu/ed712/IAPProfile.html

ACTION 1. Discuss as a class the expeditions of tion from the list below. (Speeds esti- early explorers. What were the hard- mated for best travel conditions.) ships? In what ways is exploration • canoe-sled holds 454 kg (1,000 lb.) and easier today? travels 48 km (30 mi.) a day. 2. Discuss specific items people would • Twin Otter plane holds 3,178 kg need to survive. List items on the (7,000 lb.) and cruises at 370 km/hr. board. Weight is very important (230 mi./hr.) when traveling by sled, boat, or plane. Can students approximate the • dog sled holds 545 kg (1,200 lb.) and weights of the items listed? travels 40.2 km (25 mi.) per day 3. Divide students into working groups. • skiers can pull 45.4 kg (100 lb.) and Distribute the enlarged copy of the travel 16 km (10 mi.) per day map. NOTE: The map scale applies • hikers can carry 22.7 kg (50 lb.) and only when page is enlarged 130%. travel 9.6 km (6 mi.) per day 4. Have students choose starting and 5. Use the map to chart a course. ending destinations. Also choose Student groups can present results supplies and methods of transporta- to class.

r r e Dikson i v A u r R RUSSIA m A

Tiksi ICELAND A rctic Ocean Reykjavik Sea of Okhotsk North Pole Alert G REENLAND

Thule Pevek Godhavn Baffin Bay Chukchi Sea Resolute

Bering Sea Barrow Beaufort Sea Prudhoe Bay Tuktoyaktuk Y ay u en r k o n u ve R ag i A LASKA i S R v Hudson Bay e r Churchill Gulf of Alaska CANADA

© 1995 Sea World Inc All Rights Reserved ©1998 SeaWorld, Inc. All Rights Reserved. SeaWorld Teacher’s Guide Bibliography Alexander, Bryan and Cherry. The Vanishing Arctic. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 1997. Berger, Melvin. Life in the Polar Regions. New York: Newbridge Communication, Inc., 1994. Carlton, Ray G. and M.G. McCormick-Ray. Wildlife of the Polar Regions. New York: Chanticleer Press, Inc., 1981. Melham, Tom. Alaska’s Wildlife Treasures. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society, 1994. SeaWorld Education Department. Beluga Whales. San Diego: SeaWorld Education Department Publications, 1995.* SeaWorld Education Department. Polar Bears. San Diego: SeaWorld Education Department Publications, 1998.* SeaWorld Education Department. Walruses. San Diego: SeaWorld Education Department Publications, 1994.* Stirling, Ian. Polar Bears. Ann Arbor: The University of Michigan Press, 1988. Stonehouse, B. Polar Ecology. New York: Chapman and Hall, 1989. Young, Steven B. To the Arctic: An Introduction to the Far Northern World. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1989. Books for Young Readers Bailer, Darice. Puffins Homecoming: The Story of an Atlantic Puffin. Norwalk, Connecticut: Soundprints, 1993. Bonner, Nigel. Habitats. Polar Regions. New York: Thomson Learning, 1995. Darling, Kathy. Arctic Babies. New York: Walker and Company, 1996. Darling, Kathy. Walrus. On Location. New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, 1991. Ekoomiak, Normee. Arctic Memories. New York: Henry Holt, 1988. Ferris, Jeri. Arctic Explorer: the Story of Matthew Henson. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Books, 1989. Lingemann, Linda. Beluga Passage. Norwalk, Connecticut: Soundprints, 1996. Matthews, Downs. Arctic Summer. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 1993. Matthews, Downs. Harp Seal Pups. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 1997. Matthews, Downs. Polar Bear Cubs. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 1989. Siska, Heather Smith. People of the Ice. How the Inuit Lived. Buffalo, New York: Firefly, 1980. Tracqui, Valérie. The Polar Bear. Master of the Ice. Watertown, Massachusetts: Charlesbridge Publishing, 1994. Weller, Dave and Mick Hart. Arctic & Antarctic.The Changing World. San Diego, California: Thunder Bay Press, 1996. Yolen, Jane. Welcome to the Ice House. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1998. Yue, Charlotte and David. The Igloo. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1988. Videotapes* Shamu TV presents. Arctic Adventures, 1997. Cool Critters, 1998. *Books available through the SeaWorld Adventure Park nearest you. Videotapes available through SeaWorld San Diego. Call for prices. Note: Contact the SeaWorld park nearest you for a free comprehensive marinelife bibliography.