Polar Regions
This list consists of lesson plans, activities and ideas to support the teaching of science through the topic of the Polar Regions. It contains ideas for how to link science to the topic, tips on using the resources, suggestions for further use and background subject knowledge to support teachers in delivering the science objectives through this topic. Resources support the teaching of the science topics of adaptation, insulation, food chains, habitats, sound, light, water cycle and changing state. This enables teachers to choose which aspect of science they would like to teach within the overarching topic.
Visit the primary resources for cross curricular topics webpage to access all resource lists:
https://www.stem.org.uk/cross-curricular-topics-resources
KS1/2 Antarctica: Teachers in the Freezer
Introduction
This video begins with an explanation of where Antarctica is, what the climate is like and what it takes to live there.It helps to illustrate the conditions in cold environments and how animals are adapted to live in such conditions. It demonstrates what humans need to do to be able to live at the South Pole. The teachers in the video also explore a science project that tests what effect the cold has on their bodies.
Animals Over Winter (Age 7 to 11)
Adaptation
One of the most commonly talked about features of the Polar Regions are the differences in the animals seen there compared to the rest of the World. This resource creates opportunities for the children to learn about the strategies animals adopt to survive winter in temperate zones and about the adaptations exhibited by animals in the Polar Regions. Children compare these strategies and identify similarities and differences in the ways animals are adapted to survive throughout the winter. They then sort different animals according to whether they migrate, hibernate, store food or grow a thick coat in order to survive over winter. The final activity involves looking at two case studies on species that are adapted to cold environments, the pupils can then produce their own case study choosing from a given list of species.
Penguin Huddle 1
Penguin Huddle 1
It is a well known fact that penguins huddle together , especially Emperor penguins , it helps them survive Antarctic temperatures of -50°C. Inside the huddle, temperatures have been known to reach upwards of a staggering 20°C. By huddling together in tightly packed groups, Emperor penguins conserve heat, and shelter from the intense winds. The penguins take turns to be on the cold outside edges and warm inners of the huddle so that each of them can warm up, but don’t get too hot. Scientific calculations have shown that by huddling together, Emperor penguins use about half the energy that they would otherwise.
Penguin Huddle 2
Penguin huddle 2
This resource links to an animation showing penguin huddling and the science behind it , it also has ideas and instructions on how to carry out an investigation on the temperature differences within the huddle.
BBC Science Clips
Northern Lights
Increasingly more and more people are becoming aware of Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights. This video resource is a good starting point before studying and discussing The Northern Lights and deciding if they are a light source or how they are produced.Children may still think that light comes from out eyes and this is why we can see things. Showing images of a variety of light sources, both natural and manmade will help children see that light comes from a source not from their eyes. Examples of reflective light, e.g. the Moon, traffic signs are also included, so children can see that some things may appear to give out light when in fact they are reflecting it. This could be a good way of making a distinction between sources of light and an object which reflects light as children often form misconceptions around this area.
Northern Lights
Further images and explanations about the creation of these Northern Lights can be found on in this resource.
Inuit throat singing
Inuit Singing
The native dwellers of the Polar Regions Inuits are known for their singing which they create by a special type of throat singing and use of echoes. Inuit throat singing is a unique and enchanting form of musical expression it is a mixture of husky chanting and low growling. This video shows their throat singing.
Sounds Like Science
Sound
Following on from the Inuit throat singing this resource provides twenty activities which could then lead into investigations around sound especially with regards to vibrations and echoes. The activities investigate: how vibrations travel through different materials, making instrument on which the notes may be changed, creating animal noises using voices and instruments, muffling sound, amplifying sound, investigating rhythm and even making a speaker.