NASA-sponsored scientist-teacher partnership program for student collection of data about snowflakes as part of the Global Snowflake Network and lake ice and snow pack temperatures using a Thermochron probe. The website has resources fo identification of snowflake shapes and will also record wherever snow falls on Earth. Project scientists are also collecting data with reindeer herders because warmer Arctic climate are making it harder for herds to find winter food and travel across the Arctic. The data gathered could provide reindeer herders with improved information for better predicting and adapting to changing snow conditions.The GSN will serve as a Web site for identification of snowflake shapes and will also record wherever snow falls on Earth.
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NSF-sponsored examination of the potential for nonschool settings for science learing developed by a committee of 14 experts in science, education, psychology, media, and informal education. The report assesses the evidence of science learning across settings, learner age groups, and over varied spans of time; identifying the quality of learning experiences that are special to informal environments and those that are shared (e.g., with schools) and develops an agenda for research and development. The "places" include everyday experiences, designed settings, and programs along with cross-cutting features like media as a shaper of context and tool for learning and opportunities for inclusion of diverse culturally, socially, and linguistically diverse communities.
Time-lapse photography taken during June 26-27, 2008 shows the rate of erosion of the Alaska tundra coastline, which is up to 100 feet/year in some locations as the permafrost thaws rapidly and waves pound the shore that is not protected by shore ice. U. Colorado & USGS.
Resources about the cryosphere. Online tools (e.g., virtual globes to explore ice and snow data, dynamic maps of snow, sea ice, glaciers); Arctic sea ice news, repeat photography of glaciers, and climate scientists stories from the field.
COSEE Alaska Office: 1007 West Third Avenue • Suite 100 • Anchorage, AK 99501• voicemail: (907) 274-9612 • facsimile: (907) 277-5242
email • Nora.Deans@nprb.org, Program Director or msigman@alaska.edu, Program Manager
