This three-part video series details the changing environmental conditions in Alaska and the challenges Native Alaskans face as they deal with them.
Students will learn from Indigenous individuals about how the changing sea ice in the Bering Sea impacts the people who live there and what the future may hold for their culture.
These videos are informative and engaging, while covering various topics and perspectives.
Students will gain a nuanced understanding of life in modern rural Alaska from the Native Alaskans who live there.
Additional Prerequisites
The second video discusses suicide and alcoholism; some students may have trouble with these topics.
Differentiation
This resource would work equally well in science classes discussing the impacts of our changing climate, or in social studies classes learning about different cultures.
Science classes could use the first video to show the interconnectedness of species within ecosystems and the many effects that one environmental change can make.
After watching, have students research one of the impacts of diminishing sea ice mentioned in the videos and present their research findings.
Have students imagine that their grocery stores were all moved 50 miles away from their neighborhoods and that there were no roads to get there to gain an appreciation for what the loss of sea ice means to certain people. Discuss or have students write reflections about this scenario.
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Related Teaching Resources
All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.