Cool Cores Capture Climate Change

Jean Pennycook, Earth Exploration Toolbook/TERC

This Earth Exploration Toolbook chapter is a detailed computer-based exploration in which students learn how various climatic conditions impact the formations of sediment layers on the ocean floor. They analyze sediment core data from the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica for evidence of climate changes over time. In addition, they interact with various tools and animations throughout the activity, in particular the Paleontological Stratigraphic Interval Construction and Analysis Tool (PSICAT) that is used to construct a climate change model of a sediment core from core images.

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Notes from our reviewers

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Pair ELL students with non-ELL students at the computers if possible. Teachers should download the PSICAT programs to computers ahead of time. Spend some extra time guiding students through the PSICAT program. Reinforce that the oldest sediments are at the bottom of the core and the youngest sediments are at the top of the core; this is particularly important when students build their own core to illustrate a warm climate and open water in the Ross Sea followed by a period of cooling, the advance of an ice sheet, and finally a period of warming with a retreat of the ice sheet. Refer through the activity back to the guiding questions at the end of the case study Climate is indicated by the type of sediment found in the cores. To shorten this activity, students can do parts of the step-by-steps such as viewing the cards with images of the core If time for the complete activity is not available, having students interact with the interactive animation in Step 4, showing an ice shelf advancing and retreating, is recommended [http://andrill.org/system/files/web/images/edu/iceshelfadvanceretreat.swf] A related core investigation activity which is not computer-based and is less involved is [http://www.andrill.org/flexhibit/flexhibit/materials/activities/Activity5A-ChartingTemperatureChanges.pdf]
A detailed and challenging series of activities that engage students in the science of analyzing ice cores to study paleoclimate using the types of tools used by scientists to analyze data. Comments from expert scientist: Very good material. Puts actual research tools to use. I like the interpretive steps in the activities.
The lesson is scaffolded so that students learn about ocean sediment cores, which they then apply to actual data sets. The multiple extensions and links to other explorations and visuals meets the needs of an academically diverse classes. Very complete treatment of this subject with background, case study, step-by-step instructions, information about the data and tools, and extensions to take the exercise further. Best practice use of applied technology and models to study past climates. The "Going Further" section provides a number of suggestions for inquiry-based learning. The step-by-step is guided inquiry.
The PSICAT download program may be a technical concern for teachers. Pre-loading this software and testing the tool before class is highly recommended, and this may be an issue for some schools. Pop up windows in the PSICAT software aid help learners understand and follow the directions to use technology in the activity. Interactive animation is a Shockwave file that might need a plug-in for some computers There is a tutorial movie for the PSICAT application in the Going Further section. If images look fuzzy on the page, click on them to enlarge.