Melting Icebergs Hypothesis

What would happen if the polar ice caps melt?  When I first began to think about this question I thought that the water level would stay the same because the ice already displaces the water.  However, as I began researching, and discussing this question with others, I began to rethink my initial hypothesis. 

The analogy that I can give is that of a boat in water.  A 6,000 pound boat in the lake displaces the water around it, but just minimally.  If I were to replace that 6,000 pound boat and pour 6,000 pounds of water into the lake, the water level would rise higher than the boat previously displaced.  Therefore, I believe that the melting ice caps would raise the sea level, and cause much of our land to be placed underwater. 

The melting ice caps would destroy the artic habitat and its occupants.  The rising sea levels would flood areas located near the ocean destroying many other plants and animals as well. 

Questions that I have:

• How long will it take the ice to melt?
• How much water does the ice displace?
• How much of a difference will the melted ice raise the water, over the displaced water level of the ice?
• How much water will evaporate over the melting process?
• What changes in the water temperature will occur as the ice melts?

STEM Strategies

As I began planning for my lesson plan this week, I used the 5E's Strategy.  This was a new format for me to use in the planning process.  However, I found this process very useful, and that I have unknowingly used some parts of this format in my planning all along.  In every lesson I try to find some way to engage my students in the learning process, then explore and evaluate their learning.  This strategy helps me ensure that I am developing and delivering high quality lessons for my students.

My lesson plan that I formulated this week addresses the question of what would happen to a living thing if it were placed in an unfamiliar environment.  My students have been discussing how all living things have needs in order to survive.  This lesson is going to help transition the instruction into different types of environments and habitats, giving students a first count experience into what would happen if you moved a plant or animal out of their current habitat into an unfamiliar one.

The class would use a plant that is found in our region and place it in two differing habitats that are simulated in a greenhouse.  We will observe the effects of the new habitat on the plant.  Then use our findings to help us infer what would happen to animals if we were to do the same thing. 

If I were to implement this lesson that I created this week one logistical issue that I would need to address is how my class is going to use the greenhouse located across the parking lot.  It is very challenging moving a classroom of twenty second graders inside a school building.  Moving them across the parking lot may pose a tremendous challenge.  This will also require tremendous teacher support due to the equipment involved in the experiment.  However, this will be a great learning experience for the students if the experiment is a success.

I plan on using this lesson idea with my students in the next couple of weeks.  Keep your fingers crossed that it is a success!!