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Virtual Field Trip to Antarctica
Virtual Field Trip to Antarctica
Let's begin our field trip by clicking on A View from the Bridge of the Boat below to "cyber-fly" to the near freezing waters of Antarctica.
After clicking "A View from the Bridge of the Boat" hyper link below observe the temperature, latitude and longitude as we're approaching Antarctica.
A View from the Bridge of the Boat
Write the answer on your worksheet, then click " The BACK Arrow" to continue your journey.
Created by: Cathy Murray
Tustin Unified School District
Task #1
Task #1
Now check the current temperature and wind speed sent live from the Mawson Station in Antarctica by clicking the link below.
Current Weather at Mawson Station
Using the link below convert the current temperature from degrees Celsius to degrees Fahrenheit. Then convert the wind speed from Kilometers/hour to Miles/hour.
Metric Measurements converter (not available)
Metric Measurements converter (not available)
Perform the same conversions for the following weather stations also located in Antarctica. (Record answers on your sheet)
Macquarie Island Station Browse through the pages to find what you need
Casey Station
Davis Station
Java Measurements converter
Convert Average body temperature 98.6 to degrees Celsius ____ ?
What is the O degrees Celsius in degrees Fahrenheit ____ ?
What is 212 degrees Fahrenheit in Degrees Celsius ____ ?
Given the maximum Freeway speed limit in California is 65 Mph
Calculate the following conversions.
How many Feet per second is 65 Mph ___ ?
How many Meters per second is 65 Mph ___ ?
How many Kilometers per hour is 65 Mph ___ ?
How many Knots is 65 Mph ___ ?
How many miles make up 1 Nautical mile ____ ? (Need a Hint?)
Task #2
Task #2
Check the local time.
(A) Current Weather and Time at Mawson Station, Antarctica
Does it make sense to you that it would be daylight or night at the local time given?
To help explain your answer click the hyper link below.
(B) Check the following hyper link below.
Live view of the earth from Space above Antarctica
Click on Antarctica on the Satellite image to see what it looks like from space. Note the weather it is in is in daylight or darkness.
(C) Now let's see these links location of Mawson Station on a map
or Check the Atlas of the Antarctic
What continent is Antarctica (and the South Pole)closest to?
Can you explian why why it is light or dark for the given local time?
(D) Click on the the "Why do we have seasons slide show" for an explanation.
Other Resources for Explaining Why we have Seasons
Other Resources for Explaining Why we have Seasons
What causes the seasons worksheet / lesson plan
Download "Seasons in the Sun" Worksheet in .pdf format pdf stands for portable document format.
The Reader is Free!
Please note that .pdf format file requires the Acrobat Reader from Adobe. If you don't have it click below to download it now.
Get the Free Acrobat Reader / Windows or Mac
Day One: Penguins
Day One: Penguins
Here we go: With our heavy winter coats, hats, gloves and boots on, it's time to begin our study of the THE ANIMALS OF ANTARCTICA.
THE ANIMALS OF ANTARCTICA
Use the Science links about the Animals of Antarctica to find the answers to the Questions below. You are always welcome to use the Search Engines if you like. A short list of Search Engines and Science Resources is located at the bottom of this Web Quest for easy access and convenience.
The Animals of Antarctica
Did you know that PENGUINS are not found in the Arctic, or North Pole but are found here in Antarctica.
Did you know that Antarctica is considered a continent because there is land under the ice, but the Arctic is not a continent, it is a large ice mass floating on the Arctic Ocean.
Warm up Question
Would penguins need to fear being eaten by a polar bear? Why?
*READ EACH QUESTION IN THIS FIELD TRIP INQUIRY FIRST
*THEN CLICK ON THE LINK GIVEN TO TAKE YOU TO THE PLACE
TO DISCOVER YOUR ANSWERS.
*WRITE YOUR RESPONSES ON YOUR WORKSHEET.
*CLICK "BACK" EACH TIME TO RETURN TO THIS PAGE.
Chinstrap Penguins
Chinstrap Penguins
1) Chinstrap Penguins are the most numerous penguins in Antarctica.
A) Why do you think they were given this name?
B) Click on the picture above to find out what their nests are made of.
C) What 3 things do the penguins of Antarctica eat?
2. Scroll down to "Locomotion" on the the same page as before.
A) How fast do penguins usually swim?
B) Penguins can leap clear out of the water when swimming. What is this called?
C) How do penguins get from the water to raised ice edges or rock ledges?
D) On shore they are often awkward, waddling and hopping over rocks, on snow they sometimes:________________________________________.
E) Watch themovie of how awkwardly they walk. Movie -540 KilobytesScroll half way down the page and click on the movie icon. (512K)
3. From "Penguins" Read this page to answer the questions below.
A) Why do penguins have no natural fear of humans?
B) Why is it important not to SCARE a penguin?
C) Describe how penguins move (locomotion)
4. Click on the picture below to hear what a flock of penguins sound like.
5. Now let's observe "Emperor Penguins"
A) How tall are these penguins?________ Does this height reach above or below your knee cap?
B) How much do these penguins weigh?_______
How much more or less do these penguins weigh compared to your own weight?
Day Two
Day Two
Baleen Whales
Click on the picture above to enter the world of baleen whales.
1. What is a Baleen whale?
2. What do these whales feed on?
3. Which member of the baleen whales is the largest animal to have ever lived?
4. a. Click on What does krill look like? Describe what they look like.
b. Who else eats krill besides Baleen whales?
5. Let's explore how baleen works to capture plankton and krill to feed the largest of all creatures:
Day Three: Orcas
Day Three: Orcas
Click on the picture above to enter the world of the Orcas.
1. a. What do "killer whales" eat?
b. What land animal does this author say a killer whale is similar to? Why?
2. Are Orcas found only in the frigid waters of Antarctica? Where else can they be found?
Snow and Ice!
Snow and Ice!
Click here to read about blizzards be sure to watch the movie.
1. How would you describe a blizzard?
2. We need to learn a little about the Southern Skies while we're here.
a. What is an "aurora"?
b. What is a "mirage" in the polar regions?
Ecological Concerns:
Ecological Concerns:
One of the most important ecological concerns of this area is the Ozone Depletion. Click on this link to take us to a place we can discover what this problem is all about.
1. How thick is the earth's atmosphere compared to the size of the earth?
2. What destroys the ozone layer?
3. What dangers does depletion of the ozone layer pose to life on earth?
4. What is being done to prevent ozone depletion in the upper atmosphere?
*Due to our limited time and expense account, our Field Trip to Antarctica must come to a close.
We need to "cyber-fly" back home now, but if time and expense account allows, please feel free to continue your explorations.
Click Here Continue your Cyber Exploration of Antarctica
A few Internet Resources:
Sheppard's Science Resources
Sheppard's Useful Links
Email: murray_cathy@hotmail.com (murray_cathy@hotmail.com)
Created August 11, 1998
Last Revised July 27, 2000
Page updated
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