Melting Icebergs Experiment

If the polar ice caps melt, sea levels will rise, as will water temperatures. Animals that migrate will search for new surroundings, make adaptations and find greater competition as the space for survival becomes smaller. Plants are not immune to global warming. Although plants take the carbon dioxide out of the air, the carbon cycle will continue to be greatly affected due to deforestation and use of fossil fuels. Some areas around the globe will have an increase in precipitation, and others, like African countries, will become even more drought-stricken. Science has confirmed, through research, observations, and precise measurements, global warming is a real issue (Bourne, 2008).

My research comparing various points of view on global warming only confirmed why this issue is so controversial. Environmentalists, climatologists, oceanographers, glaciologist, etc., have and continue to gather immense data through their research which clearly shows Earth is in fact warming. Case in point, NASA scientist, Jim Hanson, voiced his findings of global warming only to have lawmakers from Washington D.C. harass him for sharing his knowledge with the public (Kluger, 2006). Looking for a means to eliminate emissions isn’t an item many politicians want to deal with and often choose to look the other way when it comes to environmental issues. This is why, in my opinion, more scientists need to be on governing boards and have voice on issues so detrimental to society. One skeptic, William Yeatman, referenced the 2008 annual meeting of Noble Prize winners in this way: “half the laureates on the climate change panel disputed the so-called consensus on global warming” (2009). He is not alone in his thinking. During my research, many business leaders, politicians, and energy corporations refuse to acknowledge our climate is changing.

Our rising population is racing for greater modernization. Overuse of fossil fuels, deforestation, and an increase in industry are placing heat-trapping gases (greenhouse gases) into the atmosphere. Global warming is a real issue.
During my trip to Glacier National Park I spent time reading articles about the park and pouring through photographs from the past to the present. Mountain ecosystems in the western U.S. and the Northern Rockies in particular are highly sensitive to climate change (NPS, 2010). In 1910, Glacier National Park had one hundred and fifty glaciers; today only twenty-six exist. Spring thaws are coming earlier and freezes begin later. The waters displaced by these glaciers are going into the oceans. Melting glaciers are causing sea levels to gradually rise. Researchers, specifically climatologists, have shared abundant photos of our shrinking icebergs and glaciers due to an increase in temperatures caused by global warming (Bourne, 2008).

As glaciers melt, sea levels rise, and coastal areas are constantly changing. Rising sea levels are carving away and populations (humans and animals) living along the coasts are often finding the need to relocate further inland. As sea levels rise, beaches are eroded allowing seawater to encroach into our fresh water supply. Our ecosystems, and the plants and animals that inhabit them, are in great danger. A biologist from the University of Texas “found more than 800 studies documenting changes in species or ecosystems attributed in part to climate change (Science Illustrated, 2010). One such ecosystem, the Florida Everglades, is being greatly harmed today.

This means of inquiry welcomes integration of all content areas. Global warming and its effect on population growth, plant and animal life, economy, etc. could be an excellent means into a year-long project. The research alone would be compelling and grant students many avenues to pursue via interest levels.

The inquiry caused me to consider several other ideas that might be lead into structured or guided inquiry regarding the properties of matter, volume, and density. For example:

1. How could you determine the volume of the iceberg?
2. What percentage of the iceberg is submerged when floating?

Additional questions to consider?
3. What would happen if the water was placed in the bowl before the ice? Would the results remain the same?
4. How would changing the temperature of the water (room temperature versus cold water) affect the melting of the ice?
5. Do the properties (mass, temperature, density) of a large ice cube and a small ice cube affect their abilities to float?

References:

Banchi, H. & Bell, R. (2008). The Many Levels of Inquiry. Science and Children, 46(2), 26-29.

Biodiversity. (2010, January/February). Who Will Survive? Science Illustrated, 56-63.

Bourne, J. K. (2008, June). Changing Climate. National Geographic Magazine, Special Report.

Glacier National Park. Retrieved March 26, 2010, from http://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm

Kluger, J. (2006) Global Warming Heats Up. Retrieved March 26, 2010 from http://www.time.com/

Mastrandea, M. & Schneider, S. Global Warming/NASA. World Book Online Reference, 2005. Retrieved March 25, 2010 from http://worldbookonline.com/wb/article?id=ar226310.

Yeatman, W. (February 3, 2009). Retrieved March 25, 2010 from http://www.globalwarming.org/2009/02/03/global-warming-101-science