CURRICULUM GUIDE: ANTARCTICA · 2018-04-26 · Take a Quiz Now that students have read the article and discussed its content through the discussion questions and map study, give students

Volume 1, I s sue 12

© 2002 The Washington Post Company

CURRICULUM GUIDE: ANTARCTICA

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Drifting Into a Deep Freeze

Vocabulary

Test Your GeographicalWherewithal on a FrigidMap Quiz

On Planning an Expeditionto Antarctica—Cool Beans

Questions, Answers with aU.S. Coast Guard officer

Word Study: a LookAt Temperature

Academic ContentStandards

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February 12, 2002

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An Integrated Curriculum For The Washington Post Newspaper In Education Program

Volume 1, I s sue 12 February 12, 2002KLMNO


Lesson: Learn about Antarctica through expeditions

Level: All

Subjects: Geography, Science

Related Activity: English, Language Arts, Mathematics, Reading

Procedure

Study a MapBefore reading the KidsPost article, acquaint students with these terms:latitude, longitude, hemisphere, continent. Find Antarctica on a globe.

1. Have students identify the seven continents on Earth: Africa, Antarctica,Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America. Antarctica is thefifth largest.

2. In which hemisphere is the continent of Antarctica located? Antarctica maybe found at what latitude and longitude?

3. Locate the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean.

4. What countries are nearest to Antarctica?

5. Locate Tropic of Capricorn, Antarctic Circle, Antarctic Peninsula(northernmost land), Ross Sea, Ross Ice Shelf, and Mount Erebus (largestvolcano on Ross Island).

6. What weather conditions might be expected on Antarctica?

ReadRead the KidsPost article and sidebars.

DiscussAfter reading the KidsPost article, ask students to answer and discuss thesequestions.

1. How does the U.S. Coast Guard assist scientists who conduct research onAntarctica?

2. Using the correct scientific terms, explain how an icebreaker breaks ice.

3. Summer occurs during which months in Antarctica?

4. How many hours of sunlight are in an Antarctic summer day?

5. Scientists say between 10 and 25 percent of an iceberg is above the water. Ifan iceberg is 150 feet above the water, how many feet are likely under thewater if 25 percent is above the water? How many feet are likely under thewater if only 10 percent is above the water?

6. What are some of the animals found on land and in the water nearAntarctica?

7. In what ways is the icebreaker similar to a floating city?

VocabularyAntarctic: Pertains to the region of, at, or

near the South Pole

Antarctica: The continent that surroundsthe South Pole

Buoyancy: The tendency or capacity toremain afloat in a liquid or rise in air orgas. The upward force that a fluid exertson an object less dense than itself.

Continent: One of the principal landmasses of the earth.

Desert: A barren or desolate area; a regionof permanent cold that is largely orentirely devoid of life

Gravity: The natural force of attractionexerted by a celestial body, such asEarth, upon objects at or near its surface,tending to draw them toward the centerof the body

Hemisphere: A half of a sphere boundedby a great circle. Either the northern orsouthern half of Earth as divided by theequator or the eastern or western half asdivided by a meridian

Iceberg: A massive floating body of icebroken away from a glacier

Indigenous: Originating and growing orliving in an area or environment

Latitude: The angular distance north orsouth of the earth’s equator, measured indegrees along a meridian, as on a map orglobe

Longitude: Angular distance on the earth’ssurface, measured east or west from theprime meridian at Greenwich, England,to the meridian passing through aposition, expressed in degrees (or hours),minutes, and seconds

Ozone Hole: A thinned region of the ozonelayer, develops in the Antarctic springand continues for several months beforethickening again

Definitions are from The American HeritageDictionary

AntarcticaKidsPost Article: “Deep Freeze”

3 © 2002 The Washington Post Company

ReadGive students “Icebreaker Q and A.”Do students have additionalquestions about Antarctica?

Take a QuizNow that students have read thearticle and discussed its contentthrough the discussion questions andmap study, give students the DeepFreeze Quiz.

Read and WriteExplain why Antarctica is called thecoldest place on Earth: the rotationof the earth, the 23.5-degree axialtilt, angle at which the sun’s radiationhits earth and the geography ofAntarctica as a continental icedesert.

Give students “Word Study: a lookat temperature.” After reading aboutthe etymology of “temperature,”have students play a word game. Askthem to write “temperature” on asheet of paper. How many words caneach student make from the letters in“temperature”?

You may begin by asking students tofind words that begin with the letter“p” from the letters in“temperature.” This will allow you toclarify the rules: “Pre” is a prefix, nota word. Will you allow “perm” and“Pam”? Then have them find theirown words.

After the time you designate haselapsed, ask each student to share anew word that he or she discovered.After you have compiled a full list ofwords on the board, ask students towrite about Antarctica using as manyof the words on the board as they can.

Plan a Polar ExpeditionIf you teach younger students, youmay wish to read a book about anAntarctic expedition to them. Havethem discuss how the environmentinfluenced what happened to theexplorers. What animals wereincluded in the story and why theywere there.

If you have more time or olderstudents, go to “Teacher Guidelines:Plan a Scientific Expedition toAntarctica.” Procedures to followare suggested. A reproducibleversion, “Plan a ScientificExpedition to Antarctica,” isprovided for students. Activities areprovided for an interdisciplinarystudy of Antarctica.

EnrichmentComplete one or more of theEnrichment activities found in “WeRead It in the Post.”ANSWERSDeep Freeze Quiz. True or False: 1. True, 2. True, 3.False, 4. False, 5. True, 6. False. What Is It? 7.Scientist, 8. Military activity, nuclear testing anddisposal of radioactive wastes, 9. 90%, 10.Southern. Map It: a. Antarctic Peninsula, b. RossIce Shelf, c. South Pole, d. McMurdo Station, e.Antarctic Circle.

We Read It in the Post. 1. Mt. Christmas is locatedon the Shackleton Coast of the Ross Ice Shelf.

Temperature Word Game: We found over 40 words.Here are ten for your list: temper, era, temperate,rue, turret, trumpet, matter, mature, rapture, putter.

“Deep Freeze” can be found athttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/education/kidspost/nie/A60621-2002Feb11.html

“A Land on Ice” can be found athttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/education/kidspost/nie/A60623-2002Feb11.html

AntarcticaContinued



Discover AntarktikosON THE WEBhttp://www.terraquest.com/antarctica/Virtual AntarcticaLive Web coverage of the December 1995 voyage of theexpedition ship Livonia is archived at this award-winningsite. From Ushuaia, Argentina, across Drake’s Passage toAntarctica, “TerraQuest made history by becoming thefirst commercial travel expedition to make live uplinks tothe Internet from Antarctica.” Special sections on history,science and ecology provide materials for teachers andstudents. The Guidebook section provides an Antarcticglossary, checklist of birds and animals and reading list.

http://www.glacier.rice.edu/invitation/1_introduc-tion.htmlGlacier InvitationBe sure to visit the Antarctica Picture Gallery, awonderful collection of photographs to bring the conti-nent to life. A great site for students to get an introduc-tion to seasons, types of ice, polar comparisons andthose who live there. The glossary can’t be beat.

http://www.aad.gov.au/Antarctica OnlineSite includes science and environment sections, history ofexpeditions and “This Week in Antarctica,” highlighting acurrent Australian venture on Antarctica.

http://www.bartleby.com/151/c8.htmlAntarcticaWorld Factbook information on the continent.

http://www.mna.unisi.it/TAP/terranta.htmlTerra AntarcticaAn online scientific journal that focuses on geology,geophysics, glacial geology and glaciology from theAntarctic region. A resource for teachers.

http://www.vb-tech.co.za/Antartica/The Official Antarctica Home Page

http://www.deltaenviro.org.za/resources/enviro-facts/antartica.htmlEnviro Facts: Antarctica

http://www.andrewcollins.net/page/interactive/antartica.htmAtlantis as AntarcticaSpeculation on whether Antarctica could be the lost city.

http://www.foei.org/campaigns/Antarctica/index-antartctica.htmlFriends of the Earth International Campaign: AntarcticasIdentifies key environment concerns. Learn about theAntarctic and Southern Oceans Coalition.

After reading an article in thenewspaper, have you ever had questionsyou want to ask the person interviewed?We did. Christopher G. Burris, an officeron the Coast Guard icebreaker Polar Star,answered our questions via e-mail fromthe ship.

Q: Is sunscreen sold in the ship’s store?A: The ship’s store does not sell

sunscreen; however, it is an importantitem to bring on the trip.

Q: Why is sunscreen needed?A: Regardless of the low temperatures,

the sun is quite potent down here for acouple of reasons. One, the sun shines24/7, so you are constantly exposed.Two, this is the land of the ozone hole,which means much more of the sun’sharmful ultraviolet radiation makes it tothe earth’s surface. This brings to mindanother must have item for this trip:good sunglasses! Enough can’t be saidabout protecting your vision.

We are exposed to all kinds ofextremes — from the frigid cold to theintense sunlight. You should always beconcerned with protecting yourself.

Q: Do you bring bottled water or usethe ice for drinking water?

A: We do not bring bottled water nordo we melt ice for drinking water. Likemost other ships, we are equipped withmeans of converting sea water to freshwater. We have two systems aboard toaccomplish this task. We haveevaporators which distill saltwater tofresh water. Our second system is aReverse Osmosis (RO) purifier. ROworks by pressing saltwater (really hard)against a filter that only lets moleculesof water through. We keep the freshwater and pump the brine back

overboard.Q: How long does the channel that the

icebreaker opens stay open? When youreturn home is it still open?

A: First a little background about thefast ice in McMurdo Sound.Historically, after the icebreakers leave,the ice in McMurdo Sound erodes away,usually in late February, and then thewhole sound begins to freeze over again.However, last year the ice never fully leftMcMurdo Sound, instead the channelrefroze and the ice just got thicker. Bothicebreakers were deployed this yearbecause of the challenge that wasexpected with this second-year ice.

Now to try and answer your questions.The channel isn’t really “open,” actuallythe ice we broke to make the channelthis year is still in the channel, it’s justloose. If we aren’t driving up and downthe channel, it will begin to refreeze. So,

when we leave this year the channel willprobably refreeze. The real concern iswhether the ice will erode away or stayanother year and get even thicker.Obviously, this wish is that it erodesaway and provides new ice for next year.

Q: How many trips do you makeleading supply ships in and out?

A: Traditionally, two ships visitMcMurdo Station each year. A tankerthat supplies the town with its fuel needsfor the next year. The second is a cargoship that brings every other type ofsupplies and takes all the waste away.Therefore, there are two escorts per ship.An ice escort to bring each ship into thechannel, and one to get them back out.There have been years when more shipswere necessary to get all the supplies toMcMurdo. Just last year three ships camesouth, one tanker and two cargo ships.

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Icebreaker Q&A: U.S. Coast Guard’s Christopher G. Burris

When these ships sail, the sun never sets, so don’t forget your sunscreen—and some shades.UNITED STATES COAST GUARD

© 2002 The Washington Post Company5

True or FalseWrite “true” on the line before statements that are accurate.Write “false” on the line before statements that are inaccurate.

_________ 1. Antarctica is primarily composed of ice.

_________ 2. Antarctica is a continent, not a country.

_________ 3. Antarctica is the only continent safe from ozone.

_________ 4. Antarctica is flat, much like a large plateau.

_________ 5. Penguins and seals live on Antarctica.

_________ 6. Inuits are indigenous to Antarctica.

NAME __________________________________________________ DATE _____________

Deep Freeze QuizImagine a place that is cold all the time. A place you can only get to by airplane, or, at the one time of year whenthe ice surrounding it is thin enough to be broken, by ship. That place is Antarctica. What do you know about lifeon Antarctica?

What Is It?You are asked questions in this section. Writeyour answer in the space provided.

7. What is the chief occupation of those who liveon Antarctica?

8. What does the international treaty thatgoverns Antarctica forbid?

9. What percent of the world’s ice is inAntarctica?

10. In what hemisphere is Antarctica located?

AP PHOTO/GREENPEACE

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

The flags of 13 nations, which have officially adopted the Antarctic Treaty, flyat the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station.


NAME __________________________________________________ DATE _____________

Route of Polar Starand Polar Sea

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South magnetic poleRoss Ice Shelf

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AntAntararcticacticaAntarctica RossSea

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Map ItName the locations that are marked on the map of Antarctica.


You will study the people who dared to explore beyond the Tropic ofCapricorn. Learn from them as you plan your own expedition to study theanimals of Antarctica.

Who Are the Great Explorers?Before beginning our expedition to Antarctica, we are going to meet some

of the explorers who went before us. Don’t be confused. We are going tostart at the North Pole. D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams admires MatthewHenson who was born in Maryland. Read “Present & Past: D.C. MayorRecalls Arctic Pioneer.” Why is Henson considered an American hero?

We could learn more about Robert E. Peary and Matthew Henson, butour task is to prepare to explore Antarctica. You are going to read aboutone of the following Antarctic explorers. Read about each expedition andlearn from the mistakes and wise decisions made by each leader.

National Expeditions, 1840-1841Jules-Sébastien-Caésar Dumont d’Urville, FranceCharles Wilkes, United States

Heroic AgeRoald Amundsen, NorwayAdrien de Gerlache, BelgianDouglas Mawson, AustraliaRobert Falcon Scott, EnglandErnest Shackelton, England

Air ExplorationRichard Evelyn Byrd, United StatesLincoln Ellsworth, United StatesHerbert Hollick-Kenyon, EnglandHubert Wilkins, Australia

Make two lists to report information about your explorer: “Mistakes NotTo Be Repeated” and “Wise Decisions.” What traits would you want theleader of your expedition to have? What skills should different members ofthe team have?

What happens when someone becomes ill while in Antarctica. Groups thatventure south will have medical supplies and a doctor. What happens whenthe doctor gets sick? Read of one recent experience.

What Will You Study?Geologists, biologists, oceanographers and many other scientists have

conducted research on Antarctica. You have come to study the sea animalsand birds of the continent that has been inhospitable to humans.

More than 40 species of birds enjoy an Antarctic summer. Seabirds andshorebirds include abatrosses, terns and penguins. From Antarctic krill toseals and southern right whales, sea animals inhabit the Southern Ocean.Which will you study?

Plan a Scientific Expedition to Antarctica

Explorer’s Vocabulary

Ecosystem: A large group of plantsand animals (biotic community),plus its non-living (abiotic) envi-ronments (temperature, moisture,rock, water) functioning as a unit

Food chain: An arrangement oforganisms showing how eachorganism feeds on the one beforeit

Krill: Type of shrimp-like animalbelonging to the class Crustacean;a Norwegian word meaning“whale food”

Magnetic South Pole: Regionwhere the magnetic force is verti-cally upward. The position of thesouth magnetic pole in 1912 wasnear 71 degrees S and longitude150 degrees E. In 1970 it wasestimated at latitude 66 degrees Sand longitude 139.1 degrees E.

McMurdo Sound: The destinationof Captain Scott’s ship, the“Discovery”; located on the west-ern side of Antarctica, now the siteof the U.S. base, McMurdo Station

Oceanography (oceanology): Theexploration and scientific study ofmarine resources and its phenom-ena

Palmer Station: U.S. base on theAntarctic peninsula

South Pole: The southern end ofEarth’s axis of rotation; the pointat which all the south latitudinallines meet. On December 14,1911, Roald Amundsen becamethe first person to reach the SouthPole.

Vinson Massif: Highest point onAntarctica, 16,860 feet, in theEllsworth Mountains of westernAustralia

NAME __________________________________________________ DATE _____________

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Who Are the Great Explorers?Although no one had seen a large

southern land mass, the Greekphilosopher Aristotle was sure therehad to be land in the SouthernHemisphere to balance the land massin the north. He called this unknownland anti-Arctic or Antarktikos.Teacher Tips gives you a launchingpoint for study of Antarctica —through its explorers and a study ofits animal life, stories of survival.

1: Student Activity:Read “Present& Past: D.C. Mayor Recalls ArcticPioneer.” Why is Henson consid-ered an American hero?

1b: Teacher Preparation:Download and make copies of“Present & Past: D.C. MayorRecalls Arctic Pioneer”(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/education/kidspost/nie/A6169-2002Jan31.html). This KidsPostarticle was published Feb. 1, 2002.

2: Student Activity: You are goingto read about one of the followingAntarctic explorers. Read abouteach expedition and learn from themistakes and wise decisions madeby each leader.

2b: Teacher Preparation: Studentswill study about Antarctic explorersin groups, pairs or alone. They willgive an oral report to the class.

You may wish to collect resourcesfor students so they can get intogroups to begin reading immedi-ately. Or students may be asked tofind their own sources in the libraryand on the Internet. You may wishto form groups to focus only on theHeroic Age of Antarctic explo-ration or expand the list to givehistoric perspective. Quick profiles

of 15 Antarctic explorers can befound at http://70south.com/resources/history/explorers/.

Sealing expeditions that soughtblubber for oil are not included inthis list. Students could researchCaptain James Cook whose reportsof seals and whales in the Antarcticstarted an industry. American sealerJohn Davis and English sealer andexplorer James Weddell could bestudied to give students a perspectiveon human and animal interactionbefore they study the seals and otheranimals indigenous to the area.

Another group could report onthe controversy over who was firstto see the continent of Antarctica.Was it Russian explorer Fabian vonBellingshausen (Jan. 27, 1820),English explorer Edward Bransfield(Jan. 30, 1820) or American sealerNathaniel Palmer (Nov. 18, 1820).The importance of keeping accuraterecords and the role of nationalpride are lessons to be learned.

You may have students whowould enjoy reading about the shipsmore than the explorers. You couldadd Raold Amundsen’s Fram,Robert Scott’s Terra Nova and SirErnest Shackleton’s Endurance tothe list.

You could summarize air explo-ration for students. Enchantment ofthe World: Antarctica by HenryBillings gives a quick introductionto all the explorers.

3: Student Activity: What happenswhen someone becomes ill while inAntarctica? Groups that venturesouth will have medical suppliesand a doctor. What happens whenthe doctor gets sick? Read of one

recent experience.3b: Teacher Preparation: Younger

students can be given the KidsPostcoverage of the event that wasreported on April 25, 2001.“Antarctic Rescue” can be found athttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/education/kidspost/nie/A61411-2001Apr24.html.

Older students should be given“Plane Evacuating Sick DoctorLeaves South Pole Station” by RickWeiss. His April 26, 2001, accountis found at http://www.washington-post.com/wp-dyn/education/kidspost/nie/A898-2001Apr25.html

What Will You Study?Student Activity: More than 40

species of birds enjoy an Antarcticsummer. Seabirds and shorebirdsinclude abatrosses, terns andpenguins. From Antarctic krill toseals and southern right whales, seaanimals inhabit the SouthernOcean. Which will you study?

Teacher Preparation: It is up toyou whether you wish students tostudy the birds, penguins (Adélie,Chinstrap, Emperor, Gentoo, King,Macaroni and Rockhopper), the sixspecies of seals or six species ofwhales that are at home in Antarcticwaters. You can look at theecosystem and what happens if toomany krill are harvested.

Once they know their assignedscientific area of study, ask studentsto compile a list of basic suppliesthey will need. Place them under thefollowing headings: food, medicine,clothing and scientific equipment.Why is a regular compass useless atthe South Pole? Will they needdogs? If yes, what are their needs?

Teacher Tips: Plan a scientific expedition to Antarctica

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Reading ComprehensionWhile students are conducting research, you might have time for

a reading comprehension exercise. Susan Fineman, a readingspecialist in the New Haven, Conn., school district wrote it.“Frozen ’37 Hershey Bar Gives Taste of History” appeared in thePost, Sept. 9, 2001. After students read the article, give them thequiz. The article can be found at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/education/kidspost/nie/A63134-2001Sep8.html

True or False?This quiz was published in

the Sept. 9, 2001, Post. Whenyou are discussing what foodto pack for your expedition,you might see what you knowabout chocolate in Antarctica.

1. In 1937, the HersheyChocolate Corp. madespecial chocolate bars forthe military.

2. The Field Ration Barsweighed a little more than apound and were designed tomelt easily.

3. The Army requested thatthe energy-producing foodtaste like a baked potato.

4. The chocolate was valued for its nutritional content ratherthan its taste.

5. Hershey sent modern-day explorer Douglas Stoup toAntarctica to look for one of the 60-year-old bars.

6. Stoup discovered a bar of Hershey chocolate buried in the icein Antarctica.

7. It is believed the Ration Bar was brought to the South Pole bymembers of Adm. Richard Byrd’s third expedition team.

8. While out on a field trip, Byrd’s men dropped rations alongtheir route to mark the way back to the base.

9. Museum spokeswoman Amy Taber thought it was possible thebars were to be eaten only if no other food was available.

10. As soon as Stout returned to the United States, he took a biteout of the chocolate.

ANSWER KEY: 1. True, 2. False, 3. False, 4. True, 5. False, 6. True, 7. True, 8. False, 9. True, 10. False

More Antarctica Lesson IdeasON THE WEBhttp://www.geophys.washington.edu/People/Students/ginny/antarctica/lesson1.htmHow Unique Is Antarctica?Illustrated, information and activity

http://www.eecs.umich.edu/~coalitn/sciedoutreach/funexperiments/agesubject/lessons/newton/AntarcticII.htmlAntarctica II: Why is Antarctica so important to our plan-et?This Newton’s Apple lesson asks students to write theirown treaty of governance for Antarctica.

http://www.pbs.org/ktca/newtons/12/arctcnut.htmlArctic NutritionConsiders the nutritional needs of Arctic explorers andtheir sled dogs

http://abcteach.com/Themeunits/Antarctica/AntarcticaTableofContents.htmAntarctica and Penguin ActivitiesA variety of activities is provided.

http://www.sonrisa.com/teacher.htmTeacher Resources for a Study of AntarcticaClass projects, worksheets and Web resources

http://www.exploratorium.edu/origins/antarctica/Origins: AntarcticaScientific journeys on Thanksgiving Day 2001 fromMcMurdo to the Pole are relived through Web casts, peo-ple, tools and field notes. Includes a short history ofwomen in Antarctica. Exploratorium and The Ice projectare supported by the National Science Foundation.

http://coolspace.gsfc.nasa.gov/nasamike/essays/women/women.htmWomen Working in AntarcticaA short article on the NASA site about contemporaryactivities of women in Antarctica.

http://www.enn.com/enn-features-archive/2000/03/03302000/bancroft_10685.aspLessons from AntarcticaEnvironmental News Network March 2000 report on the2000 first all-woman team attempt to cross Antarctica.

http://askeric.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Social_Studies/Geography/GGR0203.htmlMapping AntarcticaAsk Eric lesson plan for geography and mathematics inte-gration.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

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We Read It in the Post

1EXTREME Travel Trivia, Contest

114, asked Post readers thisgeographic puzzler. Can you namethe mountain and find it on themap of Antarctica?

It’s been a while since D.C. hashad a white Christmas. To compen-sate, Santa has made a special tripto Antarctica to pick up some snowto deliver with his presents. Hisbase of operations is on the top ofa mountain on the ShackletonCoast of the Ross Ice Shelf. Namethe mountain.

2On Sept. 28, 2001, columnist

Charles Krauthammer wrote:Yes, we need to get Osama bin

Laden. Yes, we need to bring downthe terrorist networks. But the over-riding aim of the war on terrorismis changing regimes. And it startswith the Taliban. Searching Afghancaves for bin Laden is precisely thetrap he would wish us to fall into.Terrorists cannot operate withoutthe succor and protection ofgovernments. The planet is dividedinto countries. Unless terroristswant to camp in Antarctica, theymust live in sovereign states.

Two days later, Washington Postwriters Dan Eggen and BobWoodward wrote:

“The disclosures provide the mostcomplete picture yet of the direc-tion and scope of the U.S. investi-gation into the deadliest terrorattack in American history, whichhas left 6,500 people missing ordead in New York, Washington andPennsylvania. The hijackings have

led to arrests on every continent butAntarctica.”

1. Why does Krauthammer notclassify Antarctica as a sovereignstate?

2. Give at least two differentreasons why terrorists would notlocate in Antarctica.

3. Do a Web search to find newsaccounts of arrests of individualsrelated to the terrorist attacks onAmerica. Make six columns, onefor each continent on which arrestshave taken place, Under the appro-priate continent, list the newssource, the date, and who and whyeach was arrested.

3Suzanne Richardson introduced

readers to the “Lush Growth at theNew Botanic Garden” on Dec. 21,2001. Richardson’s article begins:

“On the morning of Aug. 18,1838, Lt. Charles Wilkes led a U.S.squadron of six ships and 440 menon a scientific voyage of explo-ration around the world. Four yearsand 87,000 miles later, he sailedinto New York harbor to facepublic vilification and court-martial. Wilkes’s irascible, rash andimpetuous personality, said to bethe model for Captain Ahab inHerman Melville’s classic, MobyDick, brought upon him the chargeof cruelty to his men.

Wilkes weathered these stormyseas and was eventually acquitted,both by a military court and byhistory. Today the WilkesExpedition is considered one of themost important voyages of

discovery in our young nation’spast. Wilkes accurately surveyedvast portions of the Pacific Ocean,established that Antarctica was acontinent (not a series of islands)and, incidentally, brought back10,000 plant specimens, portions ofwhich would form the core collec-tion of the U.S. Botanic Garden onthe Mall.

From a modern perspective, theexcitement generated by this richbounty of flora may be hard tounderstand. But the gleeful rubbingof hands was not for the aestheticbeauty or exoticism of these plants;it was for their utility as commercialproducts. America’s FoundingFathers, Washington, Jefferson,Madison and Monroe, had longurged Congress to ‘collect, cultivateand distribute the various vegetableproductions of this and other coun-tries, whether medicinal, esculent,or for the promotion of arts andmanufactures.’

The seeds of the WilkesExpedition, much like stocks orbonds, were traded and leveragedinternationally; they were industri-ously propagated and disseminatedthroughout the country to fostergrowth, not merely of plants, but ofAmerican livelihoods. The venturewas so successful that by May 1850Congress had authorized theconstruction of a botanical conser-vatory on the Mall to house thegrowing collection.”

1. Who was Charles Wilkes?Research to learn more aboutWilkes and the Wilkes Expedition.

2. What is a literary allusion?What is added to a reader’s under-

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standing of Wilkes throughthe allusion to Captain Ahab?

3. Why would the FoundingFathers all agree on theeconomic importance of the“vegetable productions”? Werethey right?

4. Take a field trip. Visit therenovated National BotanicGarden on the Mall.

4Read “Sanctuary of Science

Facing Extinction: BudgetCuts Would Threaten Decadesof a Wide Range OfEnvironmental Research.”Anita Huslin on January 31,2002, reports on theSmithsonian EnvironmentalResearch Center in Edgewater,Md.

1. What is the news relatedto SERC?

2. What work is done atSERC on the Rhode River?After a general statementabout the purpose of SERC,list specific projects andresearch conducted here.

3. Why is it important toconduct research on sites suchas SERC?

4. What organizations havebenefited from the work doneat SERC?

5. Who is supporting thecontinued funding of SERC?

6. According to Huslin,federal research funds forSmithsonian research is to betransferred to the NationalScience Foundation. Thereader is not told what theNSF would do with the funds.Do you think readers shouldhave been given this informa-tion?

7. Which do you think are

the three most importantarguments for SERC tocontinue receiving federalfunding? Put these in orderfrom least to most persuasive.Write a letter to your memberof Congress. If you do notthink funding shouldcontinue, list your arguments,then compose a letter to yourmember of Congress.

8. You can learn more aboutSERC on the Web(http://www.serc.si.edu/ ) andits educational programs.Check out Watershed Radio(www.watershedradio.org) fordaily one-minute radioreports.

Huslin’s article can be foundat http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/education/kidspost/nie/A62047-2002Jan30.html

5Icebergs, ozone hole, low

temperatures. What a greatplace for a scientist to be.Read “In Antarctica, NoWarming Trend: ScientistsFind Temperatures HaveGotten Colder in Past TwoDecades,” Guy Gugliotta’sJanuary 2002 article aboutclimate change studies.

1. Is Antarctica a desert?2. How does temperature

influence the fragile ecosystemof Antarctica?

3. Why are the scientists whohave been collecting dataconfused?

Gugliotta’s article can befound at http://www.washing-tonpost.com/wp-dyn/education/kidspost/nie/A40974-2002Jan13.html

Expedition SourcesON THE WEBhttp://www.nationalgeographic.com/sealab/antarctica/National Geographic Sea Lab: AntarcticaImages and dispatches from a 44-day study of krill; theresearch team lived on an icebreaker.

http://www.eecs.umich.edu/~coalitn/sciedoutreach/funexperiments/agesubject/lessons/newton/AntarcticI.htmlAntarctica I: Why do scientists go to AntarcticaA Newton's Apple lesson for upper elementary students.Contains resources and main activity, "Explore an 'unknown'place and experience the excitement of an expedition."

http://www.things.org/music/al_stewart/history/antartica.htmlScott expedition

http://www.yourexpedition.com/bae_site_pages/index.htmlBancroft Arnesen Expedition official Web siteIn addition to pictures and log of the expedition, acurriculum guide is provides for K-6 grades.

IN PRINTBillings, Henry. Enchantment of the World: Antarctica.

Childrens Press, 1994. The land, the animals and theexplorers are clearly presented through photographs andtext.

Flaherty, Leo. Roald Amundsen and the Quest for the SouthPole. Chelsea House Publishers, 1992. Although primarilythe story of Amundsen, the author includes the story ofhis rival Robert Scott. Photographs and illustrations fromthe expeditions are helpful.

Hackwell, W. John. Desert of Ice: Life and Work inAntarctica. Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1991. A member ofthe Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition of1989, Hackwell tells of a more recent exploration of thecontinent. His colored pencil drawings add to the vitalityof the reporting.

Kimmel, Elizabeth Cody. Ice Story: Shackelton's LostExpedition. Clarion Books, 1999. Illustrated with photo-graphs and maps, a very readable account of the survivalof Shackelton’s party.

Kulling, Monica. Sea of Ice: The Wreck of the Endurance.Random House, 1999. Appropriate for grades 2-4.

Sipiera, Paul. The World’s Great Explorers: Roald Amundsenand Robert Scott. Childrens Press, 1990. Illustrations andphotographs, diary entries and a list of the daily rations ofScott's and Amundsen's men compliment the text.

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Volume 1, I s sue 2 May 22, 2001KLMNO


Word Study: A look at temperature

Which characters in stories youhave read storm into a room orcause a whirlwind of activity? Canyou think of characters or peoplewho are peaceful as a spring breezeor as sunny as a summer day?

There are reasons we often relateseasons to temperature andtemperament. They are derivedfrom the same Latin root.“Temper” and “temperament” comefrom temperare, which means tomix, which is believed to come fromtemper or tempus, which meanstime or season.

“Temper,” when used as a noun,means a state of mind or emotions.If you lose your temper often, youare considered irritable or easilyangered. You are said to be quick-tempered. People who aretemperate are self-restrained. Theyare neither icy-cold nor hotheaded.

Look at the globe to find theTropic of Cancer north of theequator. The North TemperateZone lies between the Tropic ofCancer and the Arctic Circle. TheSouth Temperate Zone lies betweenthe Antarctic Circle and the Tropicof Capricorn. These zones oftenexperience warm climate in summerand cold in winter and havemoderate conditions in the springand fall. They are definitelytemperate.

“Temperate” comes from MiddleEnglish, temperat, which is fromtemperatus, past participle of ourverb temperare. Its relation to“temperature” is clear.

“Temperature” comes from theMiddle English temperate weather,from Latin temperatura, meaningdue measure, which is formed fromtemperatus.

“Temper” used as a verb means tomoderate or to strengthen throughexperience or hardship.

Meteorologists have beentempered by katabatic winds onGeorge V Coast. In addition tothese strong winds, scientists takingmeasurements outside have to worryabout the temperature dropping. Theycould easily suffer frostbite. Theymake sure to cover their heads andhands so they don’t lose body heat.

Having shelter in Antarctica,whether at one of the scientificresearch centers or onboard anicebreaker, is important to main-taining a healthy body temperature.

Of course, it is also important tomaintain a healthy temper.

If you were onboard the USCGCPolar Star with 10 scientists, 130enlisted personnel and 20 officers,would you maintain your temper?

Equator

Tropic of Capricorn

Tropic of Cancer

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Academic Content StandardsThis lesson addresses academic content standards of Maryland, Virginia and the District ofColumbia. Among those that apply are:

MarylandScienceLife Science (3.0): Students will usescientific skills and processes toexplain the dynamic nature of livingthings, their interactions and theresults from the interactions thatoccur over time. Ecology: By theend of grade 5, students know andare able to cite evidence thatindividuals and groups oforganisms interact with each otherand their environment (i.e., foodchain, reproduction,decomposition)

Environmental Science (6.0):Students use scientific skills andprocesses to investigate theinterrelationships of the naturalworld. By the end of grade 3,students know and are able toexplain that the amount of wateron earth continues to stay the sameeven though it may change fromone form to another (water cycle).

Social StudiesGeography: Students will usegeographic concepts and processesto examine the role of culture,technology, and the environment inthe location and distribution ofhuman activities and spatialconnections throughout time. 4.2Students demonstrateunderstanding of the physical andhuman characteristics of places anduse this knowledge to define regionsand their patterns of change. 4.2.3.2describe ways in which peopleperceive places and regions, drawingfrom personal experience andliterature

A complete list of Standards of Learning ofVirginia can be found on the Webat http://www.mdk12.org/mspp/standards/.

VirginiaScienceLiving Systems, Grade 4: 4.5 Thestudent will investigate andunderstand how plants andanimals in an ecosystem interactwith one another and the nonlivingenvironment. Key concepts include

■ behavioral and structuraladaptations

■ habitats and niches■ influence of human activity on

ecosystemsEarth Patterns, Cycles and Change,Grade 4, 4.7: The student willinvestigate and understand therelationships among the Earth,moon and sun. Key conceptsinclude

■ the motions of the Earth, moonand sun (revolution and rotation)

■ the causes for the Earth’s seasonsand phases of the moon

History and Social ScienceGeography, Grade 3: 3.5: Thestudent will distinguish betweenmeridians of longitude andparallels of latitude and use theequator and prime meridian toidentify the Northern, Southern,Eastern, and Western hemispheresand the locations of the ancientcivilizations, European nations, andAmerican colonies which thestudent is studying. 3.6: Thestudent will use maps, tables,graphs, and charts to classifyregions with commoncharacteristics, such as deserts.

A complete list of Standards of Learning ofVirginia can be found on the Webat http://www.pen.k12.va.us/.

Washington, D.C.ScienceEarth and Space Sciences, ContentStandard 4: Observe, investigate,describe and explain the properties,structure, and origin of the earthsystem, the solar system and theuniverse. Grade 6: The student usesknowledge of the earth’s rotationand the size and shape of anglesformed by its tilting axis to explainthe seasons and weather patterns.The student explains how themisuse of natural resources affectsthe quality of life for all speciesand develops a list of ways peoplecan reuse, recycle and reduce theuse of resources to improve andprotect the quality of life (water,air, soil, trees).

A complete list of Standards for Teaching andLearning of the District of Columbia PublicSchools can be found athttp://www.k12.dc.us/.

Documents

CURRICULUM GUIDE: ANTARCTICA · 2018-04-26 · Take a Quiz Now that students have read the article and discussed its content through the discussion questions and map study, give students