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Bringing the Arctic to the High School Classroom
  • +2
  • David Walker,
  • Rose Cory,
  • Jason Dobkowski,
  • George Kling,
  • Byron Crump
David Walker
Liberal Arts and Science Academy, Liberal Arts and Science Academy

Corresponding Author:david.walker@austinisd.org

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Rose Cory
University of Michigan, University of Michigan
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Jason Dobkowski
University of Michigan, University of Michigan
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George Kling
University of Michigan, University of Michigan
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Byron Crump
Oregon State University, Oregon State University
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Abstract

Through the PolarTREC program that pairs US educators with field researchers in polar regions, our team has been collaborating on K-12 and undergraduate curriculum development and outreach activities on Arctic amplification of climate change. We have created new lesson plans and activities focused on how organic carbon from thawing permafrost in the Arctic is turned into carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that amplifies climate change. This presentation will cover our collaboration to bring this knowledge and experience to high school science students through classroom activities and projects. The focus will be laboratory activities designed for the chemistry classroom: use of spectrophotometry to assess degree of photobleaching in organic samples and evaluation of data from high resolution mass spectrometry to characterize complex organic mixtures. We will also review lessons learned from our efforts to promote enthusiasm for polar science within the general public and discuss the benefits of the PolarTREC program to researchers, educators, students, and the public.