Polar Science 2005

Polar Science Research and Investigations

Dr. Hawke is investigating how young Weddell seal pups develop into elite divers. He is conducting this research at McMurdo Station in Antarctica. We will have the opportunity to share in this work by following Dr. Hawke's news updates and asking him questions. At the same time we can do our own research and conduct our own investigations. Perform one or more of the research tasks or investigations below. Discuss your ideas or ask questions in the Polar Science Research and Investigations Messages Area. Report your findings and results in your blog.

Tasks

Teams working in this field will collaborate to solve the following problems:

• Keep Tom Warm
  

  Dr. Hawke will be spending many hours outdoors every day during his research in Antarctica. In order to carry out his experiments as efficiently and as safely as possible it is essential that he be warm, dry, and comfortable at all times. By conducting some carefully controlled experiments on various materials, come up with a class list of materials that might be suitable for Arctic and Antarctic wear. Go to Investigation.

• Aerobic Studies in the Antarctic
  

  One of the amazing things about Weddell seals is their ability to stay underwater for up to 40 minutes without any apparent distress. Conduct a simple experiment to observe the effects of aerobic activity on the body's demand for oxygen. Go to Investigation.

• Snow and Ice in the Antarctic
  

  Antarctica is considered to be a desert (less than 10cm of precipitation per year). Yet it contains vast amounts of water ( in the form of ice). Perform this simulation to demonstrate how huge amounts of water become "trapped" in glaciers and ice caps. Go to Investigation.

• Design Your Own Investigation
  

  Complete an investigation plan and have it approved by your teacher before proceeding. Here are a couple of suggestions to get you started. Blubber is a type of fat that acts as an insulator for some animals. Design a demonstration of its insulating properties. McMurdo Station has the only large-production saltwater distillation plant in Antarctica. Seawater is distilled to produce drinking water for the research station's inhabitants. Design a demonstration showing how salt water can be changed to fresh water.

• Design a Research Project
  

  You be the researcher. Follow these steps to design your own research project.

• Research McMurdo Station
  

  Dr. Hawke is conducting his research at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Where is it? Mark its location on the outline map. Mark other important features of Antarctica. What is McMurdo Station? Who runs it? Who lives there? Who works there?

• Biome Research
  

  Antarctica is an incredibly unique continent. It is both an inhospitable land and home to some of the most extraordinary biodiversity on the planet. Older students - Research the Antarctic biome. What type of ecosystem is it? Describe its biotic and abiotic features. Younger students - Research the Weddell seal's habitat Where does the Weddell Seal live? Describe its habitat. What does the Weddell seal need to stay healthy in its habitat? How does the Weddell seal meet its needs?

• Weather Research
  

  Antarctica is said to be the coldest, windiest and driest continent on the planet. Track and graph daily weather conditions at McMurdo Station during Dr. Hawke's research expedition.

• Weddell Seal Research
  

  Weddell seals have evolved to live in a frigid aquatic environment. How are Weddell seals able to meet their basic needs in their habitat? Where do Weddell seals belong in the Antarctic food chain? What are the physical adaptations that allow Weddell seals to thrive in the harsh environment of Antarctica?

• Biology Research
  

  Dr. Hawke and his fellow researchers are measuring the characteristics of different types of muscle fibres of Weddell seals in order to learn how animals adapt to their environments. Research the different groups of muscle fibres in mammals and describe their characteristics and functions.

• Scientific Terms Research
  

  Scientists like Dr. Hawke use a special scientific vocabulary when performing and describing their investigations. Create your own Polar Science dictionary.

Useful Links

• Automatic Weather Station Observations from Mc Murdo Station
• Diving Under the Antarctic Ice
• McMurdo Station
• Satellite Images of McMurdo Station
• The CIA Factbook - Antarctica
• Underwater Field Guide to Ross Island & McMurdo Sound, Antarctica
• Weddell Seals - Antarctic Connection
• Weddell Seals - Antarctica 2000 Net
• Weddell Seals - Australian Antarctic Division
• Weddell Seals - NOAA
• Weddell Seals - Sea World
• Weddell Seals - Seal Conservation Society
• Weddell Seals Project Summary
• Wedell Seals - Animal Diversity Web

Teams

There are 4 teams working in this field.