Summary
Participants learn about permafrost, why it is important, and what happens when it thaws. They will create a suncatcher to model Earth’s layers, with a focus on permafrost and its role in shaping the Arctic landscape. The lesson also focuses on demonstrating how surface observations can help us study changes that may be occurring below, such as permafrost thaw. The lesson can be modified for a younger audience of learners.
Materials and Preparation
Have these items prepared for students:
- Tissue paper in a variety of colors: (to represent Earth’s layers)
- Pre-cut black cardstock paper for the frame
- Pre-cut clear contact paper
- Scissors
- Printed photos and diagrams of Arctic soil layers (including the permafrost layer)
- Sample images showing surface features (like ponds, cracks, sinking or shifting ground) related topermafrost thawing
- Sharpie (for optional labeling)
- Velum sheet (for optional backing)
Learning Objectives
Opening Activity
Provide an overview of permafrost (and what is currently happening to permafrost) using one of the videos below:
- Permafrost- what is it? (13 min, Alfred-Wegener Institute) What is permafrost? What happens when permafrost thaws? This animation answers these questions. Scientists at the Alfred Wegener Institute conduct annual expeditions to the polar regions in order to understand the diverse processes in the permafrost an to precisely assess the impacts of it’s degradation.
- NASA Explores: Permafrost (6 min, NASA) NASA researchers head back in time…by going underground. In the Arctic, a frozen layer of soil – permafrost – trapped dead plants and animals for thousands of years. As the climate warms, that soil is beginning to thaw, releasing carbon dioxide and methane.
*If modifying for a younger audience, you may need to find age appropriate videos.
Activity Overview
Permafrost is a layer of permanently frozen ground found in cold regions like the Arctic. While this frozen layer is hidden below the surface, it plays a key role in forming the surface, supporting everything from ecosystems to human-built infrastructure. Through this activity, participants will learn how changes in permafrost can have observable effects on the surface.
Participants will create a suncatcher to model Earth’s layers, with a focus on permafrost and its role in shaping the Arctic landscape. Focus on demonstrating how surface observations can help us study changes that may be occurring below, such as permafrost thaw.
View the full lesson below:
- Permafrost Brought to Light Instructors Guide
Reflection
Discussion Points:
- How do surface changes help us understand changes beneath the surface?
- Discuss how surface features like shifting ground, cracking, or even changes in plant life can signal changes in the permafrost below. This helps scientists understand how warming temperatures are impacting the Arctic.
- What role does permafrost play in supporting Arctic ecosystems.
- Without permafrost, the surface would become unstable, which would affect plants, animals, and human infrastructure in Arctic regions. By studying the surface, we can learn more about the impact of thawing permafrost.
- What can surface features tell us about climate change
- Thawing permafrost is one of the visible signs of climate change.Changes on the surface (like cracks or changes in vegetation) offer clues about the state of the permafrost and broader environmental shifts.
Supporting Documents
Additional Permafrost Resources:
- What Happens When Permafrost Melts? (TedED, 6 minutes) Discover what scientists have found buried in the Arctic permafrost, and find out the far-reaching effects of its melting.
Connected lesson that may be of interest:
Observing Change in Greenland’s Far North
Standards:
Polar Literacy Principles:
Resource Developed By
To learn more about this project
View Project
Made possible with funding by the U.S. National Science Foundation Award #2221990. The information contained here is those of the author(s) and does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. National Science Foundation.