Black Ice - A Slippery Arctic Road

DeeDee Whitaker, Katherine Whang

In this series of activities students investigate the effects of black carbon on snow and ice melt in the Arctic. The lesson begins with an activity that introduces students to the concept of thermal energy and how light and dark surfaces reflect and absorb radiant energy differently. To help quantify the relationship between carbon and ice melt, the wet lab activity has students create ice samples both with and without black carbon and then compare how they respond to radiant energy while considering implications for the Arctic.

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Notes from our reviewers

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The lesson could be very easily altered to allow for a more authentic, student-driven, investigative approach to answering questions about black carbon if some of the background information is left to the end or strategically cut down. Do the wet labs before you show the videos or have students read as they outline concepts before having a chance to engage with them and come to their own conclusions.
Provides a thorough explanation of black carbon and how its chemistry affects Earth system processes, particularly in the Arctic. Includes data collection by measuring reflected light off white and blackened ice, as well as melted water. Comments from expert scientist: Scientific strengths: Very nice and simple lab that demonstrates how albedo works and how the deposition of black carbon on ice reduces its albedo, resulting in faster melt. - Nice explanation of where black carbon comes from and how it gets transported to areas with ice and snow. - I like how there is sort of an "introductory" exercise initially to introduce the concept of albedo, before the real lab of looking at ice with and without BC particles on top.
The lesson is very thorough, includes differentiations for students with special needs and low-technology options. The lesson provides questions for each section and subsequent keys. A mixture of readings, videos, and hands-on labs. Good extension activities/questions that go beyond the information stated in the videos.