Making Climate Change Connections: An Inquiry Into High Resolution Ice Cores and Ocean Marine Sediment Records

There is little debate that student engagement is essential in the development of lifelong learners — hands-on activities and models play a crucial role in helping students internalize science lessons, especially in the context of earth science. These activities make learning more engaging and when students actively participate in analysis of real scientific data or manipulate models, they are more likely to be curious, to be motivated to explore the subject matter and feel more a part of the scientific process. Models provide a tangible representation of abstract concepts and complex processes. In this exercise, students are exposed to actual data from legacy ocean sediment cores from the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) which can then be correlated to major climatic shifts alongside the GISP2 ice core. Promoting collaboration and communication skills, students work together to analyze data, discover relationships and discuss findings — mirroring the teamwork that is involved in scientific research.