Middle School Activities

Module 1: The Water Cycle in the Arctic 

Overview for Educators:
This module introduces students to the Arctic water cycle, emphasizing how water moves through Earth's systems and how climate change—especially permafrost thaw—is altering these dynamics. 

Key Concepts:

• The water cycle is a dynamic, cyclic system influenced by heat and gravity.

• Permafrost plays a critical role in Arctic hydrology by limiting groundwater recharge and maintaining surface water.

• Climate change is accelerating permafrost thaw, shifting water from surface to groundwater, and altering ecosystems.

Snapshot of Activities:

• Engage: Students draw water cycle models from memory in groups and discuss water availability in their community. 

• Explore: In a role-play game called “Just Dropping By,” students act as water molecules traveling through various reservoirs, including the cryosphere.

• Explain: Class discussion and slides introduce permafrost and its role in the Arctic water cycle. Students use the CER (Claim-Evidence-Reasoning) framework to explain how the cycle is changing.

• Elaborate: Students read “Rivers of Change,” a summary of a study combining Indigenous knowledge and science to understand hydrological changes in the Mackenzie River Delta.

• Evaluate: Students reflect on their learning by revisiting their models and writing summaries of what they’ve learned.

Module 2: Life in the Tundra 

Overview for Educators:
This module explores the interconnectedness of life in the Alaskan tundra, focusing on food webs, ecological relationships, and the impacts of climate change.

Key Concepts:

• Tundra ecosystems are shaped by both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors.

• Organisms in the tundra are part of complex food webs that are sensitive to environmental changes.

• Climate change, including changes on the water cycle, is disrupting these food webs, affecting both wildlife and Indigenous communities.

Snapshot of Activities:

• Engage: Students list local plants and animals to connect personal experience with ecosystem concepts.

• Explore: Students play a Tundra Food Web Card Game to build food chains and understand ecological roles.

• Explain: Students create food webs and analyze how abiotic and biotic factors affect tundra species like the muskox.

• Elaborate: In a jigsaw-style activity, students investigate climate change impacts on: Berry availability, Game and hunting, Shrubification, Aquatic life and fishing and New wildlife movement. They then share findings and complete a class-wide chart on disruptions to Arctic food webs.

• Evaluate: A 20-question quiz assesses understanding of tundra ecology and climate impacts. This quiz can also easily be turned into a Kahoot as an alternative, or students can create a cartoon strip focusing on one type of tundra animal, featuring ecological relationships and impacts due to changes in the water cycle.

Overview for Educators:
This module immerses students in the tools and techniques scientists use to monitor water in Arctic environments. It emphasizes hands-on learning, data analysis, and the importance of long-term monitoring to understand environmental change.

Key Concepts:

• Monitoring water is essential for understanding environmental health and human impacts.

• Scientists use a variety of tools to measure soil moisture, streamflow, and permafrost conditions.

• Students can collect, analyze, and interpret real-world hydrological data.

Snapshot of Activities:

• Engage: Students brainstorm what it means to monitor water and participate in a Hydrology Data Scavenger Hunt using real-world images and data.

• Explore: Students conduct a Soil Humidity and Streamflow Investigation using digital probes, hygrometers, and the “floating duck” method to simulate fieldwork.

• Explain: Students analyze their collected data and discuss how environmental factors like shade and proximity to water affect soil moisture and permafrost thaw.

• Elaborate: Students access and interpret USGS historical streamflow data for local and national rivers, comparing trends and reflecting on the importance of long-term monitoring.

• Evaluate: Students write a scientific explanation using the CER (Claim-Evidence-Reasoning) framework or complete a creative alternative assessment by writing a “Postcard from the Field” as a hydrologist.

Overview for Educators:
This module empowers students to explore the real-world consequences of permafrost thaw and climate change in Arctic communities. It emphasizes problem-solving through engineering design and encourages students to think critically about environmental challenges and their role in creating solutions.

Key Concepts:

• Permafrost thaw is reshaping Arctic landscapes, ecosystems, and infrastructure.

• Human communities are directly impacted by environmental changes, especially in permafrost zones.

• Students can apply scientific thinking and engineering design to propose solutions to local climate challenges.

Snapshot of Activities:

• Engage: Students watch a segment of PBS NOVA “Arctic Sinkholes” or "After the Ice" and brainstorm how their communities are or could be affected by permafrost thaw.

• Explore: Students analyze real-world Permafrost Case Study Cards covering topics like disappearing lakes, collapsing coastlines, infrastructure damage, and cultural loss.

• Explain: Students research a local impact of permafrost thaw and use the Engineering Design Process to develop a solution. They plan and build a 3D model to communicate their idea.

• Elaborate: Students present their models and strategies to a hypothetical audience (e.g., Town Council), using a presentation sheet with labeled diagrams.

• Evaluate: Students reflect on their learning journey and explore the LEO Network to understand how they can contribute to community-based science.