Author:
Encyclopedia of Life (EOL)
Subject:
Life Science
Material Type:
Lesson Plan
Level:
Middle School
Tags:
  • Biology
  • Ecology
  • Encyclopedia of Life
  • Google Earth Tour
  • Migration
  • Research
  • Video
  • License:
    Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial
    Language:
    English
    Media Formats:
    Video

    Education Standards

    Arctic Tern Migration

    Overview

    Arctic Tern Migration

    The Arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea) makes an incredible migration each year. These small birds travel distances of more than 50,000 miles, from pole to pole, crossing through temperate and tropical regions along the way. Scientist Carsten Egevang used geo-locator tags to track some of these terns, and he shares their story with us in this Google Earth tour video.

    Grade/Age level Grades 5-8 (ages 10-14)

    Activity: Students watch a video about Arctic Tern migration and answer the comprehension questions. After the video, the class will discuss their answers as a group. Extenstion dicussion questions are available.

    Objectives:

    After watching the video, students will be able to:

    • Describe how scientists designed a study to answer a question about arctic terns’ migration patterns and how technology was used.
    • Demonstrate an understanding of the migration of Arctic Terns and the factors that influenced their migration.
    • Infer the impact that the findings of these migration patterns may have on other areas of science and future studies.

    Image Credit: Tim Bowman, BioLib.cz. Public Domain.

    Section 1

    Arctic Tern Migration

    The Arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea) makes an incredible migration each year. These small birds travel distances of more than 50,000 miles, from pole to pole, crossing through temperate and tropical regions along the way. Scientist Carsten Egevang used geo-locator tags to track some of these terns, and he shares their story with us in this Google Earth tour video.

    Grade/Age level Grades 5-8 (ages 10-14)

    Activity: Students watch a video about Arctic Tern migration and answer the comprehension questions. After the video, the class will discuss their answers as a group. Extenstion dicussion questions are available.

    Objectives:

    After watching the video, students will be able to:

    • Describe how scientists designed a study to answer a question about arctic terns’ migration patterns and how technology was used.
    • Demonstrate an understanding of the migration of Arctic Terns and the factors that influenced their migration.
    • Infer the impact that the findings of these migration patterns may have on other areas of science and future studies.

    Image Credit: Tim Bowman, BioLib.cz. Public Domain.