Lab 1: Glacial Change: Develop a
Our Changing Poles
Model to Support the Data
7
th
-12
th
grade
Overview
Materials
Students test the hypothesis they formulated in the P.I.G. activity using ‘glacier
Batch of Glacier Goo:
goo’ as a model for polar glacial ice. They will test various ice conditions to
Supplies Mixture #1:
examine the process and mechanism that can drive glacial change.
3/4 cup warm water
Objectives
1 cup Elmers white glue
Supplies Mixture #2:
Students will:
1/2 cup warm water
2 tsp. Borax powder
Collect measurements on three different sets of conditions
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General Supplies: Measuring cup,
Identify the processes and mechanisms demonstrated in each
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mixing bowl, wooden spoon, 1 qt. plastic
Compare their lab results to real world glaciers
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zip lock bag. Note: Each mix supplies 2
lab teams with glacier goo. Goo can be
Activities
reused and will store for a few months in
Students work in teams to complete the following activities and test their
zip lock bag.
hypothesis:
Mix # 1: In large bowl add warm water
to glue and stir until well mixed.
Glacier Review answer questions recalling what they have learned
•
Mix # 2: Add 2 tsp. of Borax powder to
about glacial processes and mechanisms from Glacier Basics Equations
1/2 cup warm water and stir until the
and the evidence from P.I.G.
powder is dissolved.
Establish baseline condition for the experimental runs and then
•
Stir Mix 2 into Mix 1 and stir until a glob
collect runs testing Ablation, Steady State and an Ice Shelf condition.
forms and most of the water is mixed in.
Compare their results to Glacier Basics Equations or to P.I.G.
•
This happens quickly! Knead and work
Design their glacial run and report on the conditions they selected to
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the mix for 2 – 3 minutes until the water
test and their results tying it back to a real glacier
is incorporated into the mixture. Place
the glacier goo in the zip lock bag.
Supplies & Set up:
(Note: The mixture will store for a few
months.)
Each team or two or three lab partners will need:
½ Batch Glacier Goo
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Small rectangular container (we used plastic shoebox ~13" x 7-1/2" x
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Other Resources
4-1/4" h)
Section of matboard cut to fit snuggly in container to form a ‘ramp’
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Supporting Activities from website:
Laminated cm grid space graph paper (on webpage)
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POLAR I.C.E.: What is Happening to
Stop watch or timer & calculator (or smart phones)
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Antarctica’s Pine Island Glacier
6 inch ruler with centimeter measurements
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Optional supplies - plastic knife
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P.I.G. Activity Background ppt
Evaluation:
P.I.G. Fast Facts
Students are able to complete the lab and use their results to describe real world
glacial processes & mechanisms, relating them to changes being measured in
the polar regions.
Lab 1: Glacial Change: Develop a Model to Support the Data