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Mountain of Ice

Viewing Ideas

Before Watching

1. Have students name the seven continents and locate them on a map (Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America). On Antarctica, have students locate the West Antarctic Ice Sheet where scientists are conducting research. What challenges do students think researchers face working in the Antarctic?

2. Ask students the difference between weather (atmospheric conditions at a given place and time) and climate (average weather conditions for an area over an extended period of time). Why is it important to study climate? (Looking at past climates can provide clues to climatic variability, which may help predict future changes. It can also contribute to understanding how humans influence Earth's climate system.)

3. Ice cores, like tree rings, can reveal information about the past. As students watch, have them take notes on the substances scientists sample from ice cores and what they can infer from each substance.

After Watching

1. Review with students the kinds of substances scientists sample from ice cores. What does each substance indicate? How do scientists use the substances in ice cores to make generalizations about climate?