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Polar Bears in a Changing Climate

Climate Change Lessons from the Arctic


 
 

Introduction 

Welcome to "Polar Bears in a Changing Climate!" Polar bears are amazing animals. Their habitat is being affected by climate change, and the polar bears' existence is threatened.

This exhibit is the second in a series. The focus of "Polar Bears in a Changing Climate" is on the effects of climate change on polar bears and their habitat as well as the topic of climate change, in general. Knowledge gained through the Challenge Based Learning approach utilized in this instructional module will also provide students with a greater understanding of the effects of climate change on other animals, their habitats, and the environment.

 

Introductory Welcome 

 Duration: 1:22

 Click the image above to view the introductory video clip.

 

"Polar Bears in a Changing Climate"

  • Lessons and activities correlated with webcasts which will be conducted live from the tundra in October and November of 2009
  • Pre-webcast and post-webcast activities and assessment rubrics
  • Challenge Based Learning framework
  • Process for active student-directed learning activities
  • A focus on creative, action-oriented solutions to authentic problems
  • Resources for utilization by students and educators as they take action to conserve energy (and water), reduce their carbon footprints, and make changes to protect polar bear habitat
  • Utilization of 21st century skills and instructional strategies including the integration of relevant technologies
  • Publishing of digital media a part of the action-oriented solution to a challenge

As part of this challenge-based approach to taking action for solving a real–world problem, students can utilize technology to educate the global community about the problems facing polar bears. Using technology, public service announcements can be created with digital video, a series of podcasts can be created and published, print publications can be produced and shared, and relevant information can be disseminated in many ways.

 

This exhibit supplements an earlier exhibit, "Rolling on the Tundra," which is an interdisciplinary unit on polar bears. These two exhibits complement each other, and they can be utilized independently or together.

"Rolling on the Tundra"

  • Interdisciplinary study of polar bears
  • Lesson plans and ideas for technology integration in several curricular areas
  • Archived webcasts with information about polar bears and their habitat
  • Educational resources for the study of polar bears
  • Supplemental resources on climate change and ecology
 

Follow PBI with Social Media 

We invite you to follow Polar Bears International through the following social media: Facebook, Twitter, a blog, and a Ning. Add information, start discussions, insert comments, share photos, and collaborate with others who are interested in polar bears!

Keep updated with polar bear news and connect with others with the same interests through the Polar Bears International Facebook. Follow PBI on Twitter to get news on climate change and polar bears, updates from the tundra, and other interesting, related information. Comment on the blog, "Rolling on the Tundra, A Polar Bear Adventure!" Keep returning to the blog to see new entries. And, finally, visit the PBI Ning to read updates, share information, start discussions, and share photos and videos.

 

Webcasts from the Tundra - Churchill, Canada 

Near the Hudson Bay in Manitoba, Canada - not far from the town of Churchill, the "Polar Bear Capital of the World" - members of Polar Bears International, scientists, zoologists, educators, and students gather at different times each winter to observe and study polar bears in the wild.

During October and November 2009, panels of experts conducted six webcasts focused on polar bears and climate change, live from the tundra. We invite you to view these webcasts which are correlated to the educational resources and lessons shared in this exhibit. Archives of these webcasts will be posted on the "Tundra Connections Information" page which is listed on the sidebar.

This year's webcasts included live shots and video clips of bears on the tundra!

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS RELATED TO POLAR BEARS OR THE "TUNDRA CONNECTIONS," PLEASE E-MAIL THEM TO THE ADDRESS BELOW:

rollingonthetundra@me.com

November Panelists included:
 

Partnership with Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots 

Dr. Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots is partnering with "PBI" to raise awareness about the issues surrounding the polar bears and their habitat in an effort to encourage youth to become active leaders in their communities, promoting ecology and environmental stewardship.

Dr. Jane Goodall states that knowledge leads to compassion which then leads to action. Dr. Jane believes that it is today's youth who have the ability to create a better world for the future.

It is with that in mind that we hope this exhibit will help you and your students take action to implement projects that will make a difference in our world and the world of the polar bear. 

 
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First published on Oct 06, 2009.