Download How Fast Will It Melt?

How Fast Will It Melt?
Learn about the
process of ice melting in the Arctic!
Activity
Guide
Description: This game explores how rates of melting in the Arctic
increase with the amount of ocean that is exposed. Positive feedbacks
affect the rate at which icebergs and glaciers melt during the summer
season.
Audience: This activity is designed for children ages 7 and older.
Length: 15-20 minutes
Learning Objective
As
icebergs
and
glaciers
melt,
the
replacement
of
reflective
ice
with
the
darker
colored
ocean
encourages
more
melting.
This
process
is
called
a
positive
feedback
loop
an
is
enhanced
with
temperature
increases
associated
with
climate
change.
Climate Connection
As
icebergs
and
glaciers
melt,
the
replacement
of
reflective
ice
with
darker
colored
ocean
encourages
more
melting.
This
melting
then
triggers
a
positive
feedback
loop
where
the
rate
of
melting
is
increased
by
further
melting.
Rates
of
melting
in
the
Arctic
are
just
one
example
of
a
positive
feedback
loop
influenced
by
climate
change.
Materials
•
Ocean
game
board
•
Hexagon
ice
pieces
•
“How
to
Play
the
Game”
instruction
sheet
•
Calculator
•
Pencil
and
scratch
paper
(optional)
Did you know? Average temperatures in the Arctic region are rising twice as fast as they are elsewhere in the world. Sciencenter, Ithaca, NY
Page 1
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How
Fast
Will
It
Melt?
Activity
Guide
Set Up Instructions
Step
1:
Set
up
the
game
board
and
game
pieces.
(If
this
is
the
first
time
using
the
game
cut
out
the
ice
game
pieces
and
glue
onto
card
stock
or
foam,
16
count)
Step
2:
Follow
the
instructions
on
the
“How
to
Play
the
Game”
instruction
sheet.
Program Delivery
[Visitors
may
play
this
game
on
their
own
or
with
assistance.
Use
the
“How
to
Play
the
Game”
Sheet
for
detailed
instructions.]
How
fast
is
the
ice
in
the
Arctic
melting?
The
increase
in
air
temperatures
associated
with
climate
change
has
created
drastic
rates
of
melting
in
the
Arctic
over
the
past
several
years.
Every
summer,
when
air
temperatures
increase
land
and
sea
ice
melts,
exposing
the
surface
underneath.
The
surface
that
is
exposed
is
a
darker
color
than
the
ice
that
was
previously
there,
this
means
that
more
heat
is
absorbed
by
the
surface.
This
phenomena
is
called
albedo
and
refers
to
the
amount
of
solar
radiation
that
is
reflected
by
a
surface.
This
game
shows
the
important
role
that
albedo
plays
with
rates
of
melting.
For
each
ice
game
piece
that
you
remove
you
are
exposing
more
blue
ocean
underneath.
The
more
ocean
that
is
exposed
the
more
solar
radiation,
or
heat
from
the
sun,
is
absorbed
and
rates
of
melting
increase.
The
rates
of
melting
and
the
role
of
albedo
is
creates
a
positive
feedback
loop
that
leads
to
even
further
rates
of
melting.
Air
Temperature
Sea
Ice
Melts
Increases
Ocean
Releases
Heat
to
Atmosphere
Ocean
Absorbs
Heat
This
diagram
illustrates
how
positive
feedback
loops
affect
the
rate
of
iceberg
melting.
Credits
This
project
is
made
possible
by
a
grant
from
the
U.S.
Institute
of
Museum
and
Library
Services
Copyright
2010,
Sciencenter,
Ithaca,
NY.
Sciencenter, Ithaca, NY
Page 2
www.sciencenter.org