School of Ice 2020-Virtual Workshop


The School of Ice agenda is organized around ice core science themes. Each year the presenters and activities may change, but the core concepts are similar. During the Virtual School of Ice, participants received lab kits so that hands-on activities could be done simultaneously.

Contact us if you have any questions or need other resources!


SUNDAY, June 28th, 2020

Activity/LabPresenter Description
Life CoresLouise HuffmanIntro of colleagues while learning ice core concepts–recording
Science NotebooksBill GrosserPlace for personal notes of each participant-recording
To the Ends of the Earth– Polar OppositesLouiseComparing the Arctic and Antarctica Regions–recording
Cool Dozen–Pear DeckLouiseReview of Polar Regions-recording
Decoding Ice Cores: Direct Measurement (tree rings & ice cores)   BillLooking at paleoclimate records through evidence in ice cores and tree rings–recording
Mapping Activity: The Only Direction is North AntarcticLouiseExploring Antarctica through maps–recording

MONDAY, June 29th, 2020

Activity/LabPresenterDescription
Decoding Ice Cores: CO2Bill GrosserTaking CO2 measurements  from different melted models of ice core layers and graphing the data–recording
Decoding Ice Cores: Developing Proxy Models–Mathematical Proxy LabBillBuilding a proxy measure to understand how scientists do it–recording
Decoding Ice Cores: IsotopesBillMassing a model of isotopes from the ice core and building a graphical long range record–recording
Introduction to Ice Core ScienceDr. Erich OsterbergWhat can we learn from an ice core? recording
Cold, Salty Deep–ThermohalineLouise HuffmanExploring how temperature and salt affect currents in the ocean–recording
Role of the Ocean and Polar SeesawDr. Bess KoffmanRelationship between the Polar Regions and the oceans in between–recording
Virtual Field Lab–Abrupt Climate DisruptionsDr. Erich OsterbergStudent generated data activity–using ice core data to explain an historical climate phenomenon
Science Cafe: Explorations with a ScientistDr. Erich OsterbergQ & A with an Ice Core Scientist–recording

TUESDAY, June 30th, 2020

Activity/LabPresenterDescription
Lego Write it/ Do itBill GrosserPractice writing concise, specific directions–recording
Land Ice/Sea Ice/Grounded Ice—How does melting ice affect sea level?Louise HuffmanExploring how melting ice affects sea level
Virtual Field Lab–Meredith Kelly–What do stories unlocked using evidence from the past, tell us about the future of the planet?Dr. Meredith KellyLooking at current day evidence of past climates and past evidence that informs climate today. recordings
Future of Ice Core  ScienceDr. Bess KoffmanWhat are the next questions scientists hope to answer using ice core science? recording
Drilling Ice Cores Dr. Mary AlbertHow do engineers drill through miles of ice? powerpoint
Drilling Display ModelLouiseA model to use for classroom demonstrations
Slip Sliding Away—Glacial dynamics-LouiseExploring glacial dynamics–recording
Making glacier goo–recording
Glacier DynamicsDr. Bob HawleyHow do glaciers move and what can we learn from them? recording

WEDNESDAY, July 1st, 2020

Activity/LabPresenterDescription
Nature vs. Science card gameLouise HuffmanExploring the nature OF science–recording
Introduction to CRREL (Cold Regions and Engineering Lab)Dr. Zoe CourvilleWhat is CRREL’s role in US engineering and what polar science projects have they been involved with in the past? recording
Engineering Design Challenge (build, test, write directions)Bill GrosserHands on engineering activity–designing a mobile ice core drill–recording
Ice Properties and Ice AdhesionDr. Emily Asenath-SmithUnderstanding ice properties and how that helps inform polar science and engineering projects– recording
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations and Student ExperiencesLeila Winn and Bill GrosserStudent Experiences with diversity in STEM–recording
Lesson Adaptations and Plan of ActionDr. Lauren AdamoLessons from a former School of Ice Participant/time to work on a Plan of Action–recording