Dream It, Build It, Launch It!

This Super Lesson utilizes Project Based Learning to assist learners with designing, building, and testing flying contraptions as an introduction to Engineering. The goal of this project is to engage students in collaborative team work and to introduce students to the Science and Engineering Practices: Asking Questions and Defining Problems, Planning and Carrying Out Investigations, and Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions. We have offered this Super Lesson as an 8-week elective course, developing and strengthening student interest in applied Math and Science topics. It could also be offered within upper elementary or middle school Science and Math courses. In addition, each week’s topic could be used as a stand alone mini-lesson if time is limited. We have worked to include multiple options within this unit to make it accessible to both general education and special education programs, including recommendations for modifications and extensions.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Interactive, Lesson Plan, Unit of Study

Icebreaker Activity: Is It Alive?

This is a set of two improv-style activites that encourage participants to participate in learning about living and nonliving things. Learners will get to know each other through an icebreaker activity and state their ideas and previous experience with living versus nonliving things. This will help prepare them to explore how scientists define and look for life in worlds beyond our own. It also includes specific tips for effectively engaging girls in STEM. This is the icebreaker activity in Explore: Life on Mars? that was developed specifically for use in libraries.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson Plan

Pierre the Penguin: Teaching About Heat and Insulation Through Adaptations

In this article, a newspaper article about a penguin outfitted with a wetsuit is the impetus for a lesson on heat and insulation in marine animals. Students learn about feathers and blubber and think about the role of scientists in observing and caring for animals in the lab. Included are links to lessons and activities and a list of recommended children's books. This article appears in the free, online magazine Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Authors: Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears, Jessica Fries-Gaither, National Science Foundation

Penguins Only in Antarctica? It's Not So Black and White!

This article introduces the 17 species of penguins and shows how a study of penguin habitats and life cycles can fulfill national science content standards for K-grade 5. The author provides links to web resources and suggests books. The article appears in the free, online magazine Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Authors: Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears, Jessica Fries-Gaither, National Science Foundation

Snow Shelters and Long Underwear: Project-based Polar Learning

A middle school teacher uses class projects to introduce students to the principles of insulation.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Author: Eric Biederbeck

Antarctica: King of Cold

This article includes links to expository text for students in grades K-1, 2-3, and 4-5 about the climate differences between the Arctic and Antarctica.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Author: Stephen Whitt

Antarctica Part Two

In this video, Jonathan treks all the way to Antarctica to investigate life south of the polar circle. Along the way he dives in the majestic kelp forests of Patagonia, where crabs rule the sea floor. Once he arrives in Antarctica, his adventures continue. He swims with penguins, dives under an iceberg, meets a massive jellyfish 3 feet across, and has an incredible encounter with a Leopard seal, the apex predator of Antarctica. Part 2 finds Jonathan continuing his exploration of Antarctica including an encounter with a Leopard seal. This program won a New England Emmy Award! Please see the accompanying lesson plan for educational objectives, discussion points and classroom activities.

Material Type: Diagram/Illustration, Lesson Plan

Authors: Jonathan Bird Productions, Oceanic Research Group

Antarctica Part One

In this video, Jonathan treks all the way to Antarctica to investigate life south of the polar circle. Along the way he dives in the majestic kelp forests of Patagonia, where crabs rule the sea floor. Once he arrives in Antarctica, his adventures continue. He swims with penguins, dives under an iceberg, meets a massive jellyfish 3 feet wide, and has an incredible encounter with a Leopard seal, the apex predator of Antarctica. Part 1 finds Jonathan diving in Ushuaia, Patagonia in Argentina before boarding the ship to Antarctica, then he finally gets to Antarctica and meets some penguins! This program won a New England Emmy Award! Please see the accompanying lesson plan for educational objectives, discussion points and classroom activities.

Material Type: Diagram/Illustration, Lesson Plan

Authors: Jonathan Bird Productions, Oceanic Research Group

Why Is It Always Cold in Antarctica?

In this week-long unit, students examine weather reports from all over the world in order to understand global temperature patterns. Throughout the unit, students collect their findings in a portfolio. The comprehensive curriculum materials contain teacher tools, a Web activity in which students examine 12 months of weather data for several U.S. cities, comparing their findings with the same 12 months at Antarctica weather stations, two hands-on experiments, two Q&A interviews and a student handout with guidance for putting together their portfolios and examples of creative final projects.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson Plan, Unit of Study

Antarctica: King of Cold: Grades 2-3: Illustrated Book

This informational text explains that while both the Arctic and Antarctica are cold, Antarctica is much colder and drier - a polar desert. The text is written at a grade two through grade three reading level. This version is a full-color PDF that can be printed, cut and folded to form a book. Each book contains color photographs and illustrations.

Material Type: Diagram/Illustration

Author: Jessica Fries-Gaither

Differentiating Science and Literacy Content with Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears

This article provides an overview of differentiated instruction and resources for teachers looking to differentiate science and literacy content in the elementary classroom.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Author: Jessica Fries-Gaither

Density in the Making: The Changing Face of Polar Glaciers and Icebergs

In episode seven of the Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears podcast series, learn how scientists can get a first-hand look at changing polar icebergs and glaciers and what these changes can teach us about density.

Material Type: Reading

Authors: Mary Miller, Robert Payo, Stephanie Chasteen