Why so cold? – Tilted Planet

In this lesson developed by the Arctic Eider Society, students investigate why seasons occur: from the orientation of the earth in relation to its orbit around the sun and what this means for arctic sea ice.

1. Earth’s Axis

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With supporting lesson plans on Albedo and Latitude, students learn that the amount of solar energy that is reflected, and the amount that is absorbed by a surface, depends on the nature of the surface and the angle at which sunlight strikes it.

2. Experiment

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In groups, students can visualize seasons and radiant profiles at different locations on the earth. As students perform the activity step-by-step, you can ask them to take photographs as evidence of learning for assessment purposes.

3. Discussion

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To deepen student learning, a variety of application and critical thinking questions are suggested in the Student Booklet. These questions can be addressed as a group or individually, for transfer of learning or for assessment.

Resources

• Video on Inuit knowledge and climate change
• Perennial Arctic sea ice decline between 1984 – 2016
• This American Life 630: Things I Mean to Know
• Inuit Knowledge and Climate Change documentary article