Consequences of Less Ice on Lakes Due to Climate Change

Provided by: Michigan Public Radio |Published on: December 18, 2024

Articles/Websites

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Synopsis

This article covers the environmental and societal consequences of less ice on the Great Lakes.
Students will learn the importance of lake ice for cultural activities, animal habitats, and greenhouse gas production.

Subjects: Biology, Earth and Space Sciences

Authors: Michigan Public Radio

Region: Minnesota, WI - Lake Michigan & Fox/Wolf Watershed (CESA 6, 7, 8), Northern NY, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana

Languages: English

Positives

The article provides a short summary of key findings as bullet points, making it easy for students to read and understand.
The article allows for SEL and Justice connections, as students can share their own experiences with lake ice and consider cultural value of the lake ice.

Prerequisites

Younger students may not have encountered the terms nitrous oxide or cyanobacteria before and may need them defined.
Students will need computers to access the article, or the teacher will need to print copies for them.

Differentiation & Implementation

Teachers can ask students to share the importance of winter lake ice to them, inviting students to share personal memories and culturally significant practices.
This article can be used as a phenomenon in a science lesson about how changes to the environment affect biodiversity.
This article can be used to talk with students about the water cycle by discussing how open water would cause more lake-effect snow.
Older students can extend their learning by reading the original scientific study in Science.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

Standards

Resource Type and Format

All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.