Northwest Passage

Glenn A. Richard, Mineral Physics Institute Stony Brook University, SERC On The Cutting Edge Collection

In this activity, students use Google Earth and information from several websites to investigate some of the consequences of climate change in polar regions, including the shrinking of the ice cap at the North Pole, disintegration of ice shelves, melting of Greenland, opening of shipping routes, effects on polar bears, and possible secondary effects on climate in other regions due to changes in ocean currents. Students learn to use satellite and aerial imagery, maps, graphs, and statistics to interpret trends accompanying changes in the Earth system.

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Developed for undergraduates, this activity could also be effectively deployed in high school geography or other courses. An educator might want to start this activity with a lesson on Google Earth. This activity opens the opportunity to explore the economic, political, and international issues associated with an open Northwest Passage.
Students use Google Earth and National Snow and Ice Data Center data to answer questions about global sea traffic and interference by sea ice. All answers are generated by using real data. Comment from expert scientist: Shows changes in the cryosphere, particularly Arctic sea ice. Begins with a case study of conditions in the Northwest Passage, which is a region of lore and whose changes in sea ice cover is impacting human activities.
Students are guided through the activity by answering questions that require analysis of maps or data. Google Earth component engages students in inquiry with visual images and accommodates different learning styles Students and instructors may need to devote time to learning how to use Google Earth if they are unfamiliar with it. Substantial guidance for using Google Earth is provided. Extensions can be made from this activity to address the Guiding Principle C (Impact of climate change may affect the security/commerce of nations.)