Global Climate Change and Sea Level Rise

California Academy of Sciences

In this activity, students will practice the steps involved in a scientific investigation as they learn why ice formations on land (and not those on water) will cause a rise in sea level upon melting. This is a discovery lesson on ice and water density and displacement of water.

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Notes from our reviewers

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Educator needs to strengthen the link between sea level rise worksheet and the activities. A model of the molecular structure of water may be helpful with this lesson. Instructions are unclear how much food color to use - might require some experimentation. Suggestion from educator: Ruler does not work, use a permanent marker instead to draw the height at the beginning of the experiment as well as every hour. In addition - good idea to use a light to warm the ice for an increase in melting rate.
Great educator background with good explanation of thermohaline circulation and properties of water, as well as the importance of salinity and temperature on circulation. Very good supplemental materials. Resources are automatically and constantly updated from reliable sources. This experiment does not follow the protocol of a true scientific investigation. Comment from scientist: The slowing of the thermohaline circulation and its causes are not clearly understood and the cause of much debate in oceanography and cryospheric sciences currently. It is, therefore, necessary to make sure this uncertainty is well understood by the students.
Activity can be used as a hands-on activity or demonstration. Effective visualizations and photos to guide students and educator in lab setup. Robust educator background section. There is the potential that the students might not meet the stated objectives of this lesson. The investigation and resources do not give enough student information to meet objectives such as "ice is less dense than water"; displacement is a hard concept for ELL students.