Polar Lab

NOVA, Public Broadcasting Service

Using a combination of clickable 360 degree landscapes, 2D and 3D videos, animations, interviews with scientists, and mini-games, the Polar Lab takes players onto the glacier ice and into the lab in search of evidence to answer big questions about Earth's climateâpast, present, and future. They search for plant and animal fossils that can reveal what this Arctic and Antarctic environment was like 50 million years ago. Students examine two kinds of clues that act as time capsules for exploring the past: mud cores and ice cores. Finally, students examine the rapid retreat of the massive glaciers and sea ice to better understand how changing ice conditions affect animals.

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Notes from our reviewers

The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness. Read what our review team had to say about this resource below or learn more about how CLEAN reviews teaching materials.

Structured discussion questions are provided as well as lesson plans with teaching tips. Students are not allowed to move ahead without completing each clue. Time spent on each clue may vary widely based on student motivation and interest. Instructors may need to provide extension activities for faster learners. There are videos from scientists along the way to help them understand their observations. Teachers will want to ask probing questions to ensure that students are on track with the larger concepts. Some upper elementary classrooms may benefit from the Polar Lab activities. Each mission should take around 1-2 hours (3 missions total) depending on how the groups are structured.
Students collect data from the field and complete three separate missions: 1) they search for plant and animal fossils that can reveal what this Arctic and Antarctic environment was like 50 million years ago 2) investigate the variations in Earth's climate within the current "icehouse" cycle, when the planet has been cool enough to sustain ice year-round at the poles and 3) brings us to the present day, as players work with scientists at both poles trying to understand what's happening to our rapidly warming planet. Provides links for additional background material. Credible scientists lead the missions. Summarized comments from expert scientist: Overall the labs are great with lots of interesting content. They are well presented and have lots of useful information in an easy-to-understand format. The scientific content is accurate and current, and presented by experts. Note that temperatures are only provided in degrees F, instead of degrees C (as is used by scientists), so instructor may want to convert to Celsius to accurately reflect scientific process or if using in non-U.S. countries.
Students use this online resource to take a virtual tour of different areas of the Arctic and Antarctic and scientists help them along the way with (geological) observations and explanations. Videos and simulations are provided for clues to the past. Computer skills are needed and this activity will require students to be focused and task based to complete the tour. Students explore most of the resource on their own (no student guide to print out) so teacher may need to provide some guidance. Students work independently or in small teams. Includes basic teacher guide that includes guided questions.