Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences
Thursday, October 3, 2019

Students, Teachers: Drift Along with an Epic Arctic Climate Expedition

K-12 students around the world can now be a part of one of the largest Arctic climate research expeditions ever conducted. In September, the RV Polarstern icebreaker set out to freeze itself in Arctic sea ice. For the next year, hundreds of scientists from 19 nations will drift across the Arctic ocean to study all aspects of this fragile environment—from the sea to the ice to the sky. 

Image removed.The RV Polarstern, frozen in ice. Photo: S. Hendricks/AWI

The Multidisciplinary Drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) is an unprecedented effort to better understand the Arctic’s changing climate. And now learners everywhere can come along for the ride: CIRES Education & Outreach is developing dynamic resources for K-12 educators to transport their classes to the Arctic.

Image removed.Take a 3D tour of the RV Polarstern! Image: AWI

Every week, CIRES delivers curriculum straight to educators’ inboxes. The MOSAiC Monday newsletter directs teachers to real-time updates from the RV Polarstern, short (5-10 minute) MOSAiC expedition-related activities, and engaging videos. Students can take a 360-degree tour of the ship, track Arctic weather conditions, plot the Polarstern’s route and more. All materials are free and many connect with the Next Generation Science Standards.

Sign up now to receive MOSAiC Monday in your inbox each week. K-12 educators looking for full-length Arctic-related lesson plans and units can also check out our collection of educational resources.