Development and Environment

Session One focuses on how Antarctica evolved, its current terrain and characteristics as well as the role it plays in the Earth's environmental system.

This session is broken into five parts. Each part provides insight into various aspects of the Antarctic system and facilitates student achievement of the following learning objects. The parts are intended to be completed sequentially, although they should be equally effective in any order. This session also includes a review activity and a user-response form.

Session One Learning Objectives
  • Describe the theory of continental drift
  • Describe the physical features of Antarctica
  • Describe the unique weather and climate of Antarctica
  • Describe the various ways ice moves on and around Antarctica
  • Describe how changes in the Antarctic climate affect the global environment

    Session One Outline

    Plate Tectonics
    Explanation of how the continent developed from the super-continent Pangea to current Antarctica
    Topography
    Description of prominent, physical characteristics and how they're influenced by years of ice and snow
    Weather
    A look at the temperature extremities and wind pattern for which Antarctica is legendary.
    Ice Coverage and Movement
    Focuses on the Antarctica's most prominent feature, ice--how it changes with sessions and the tides.
    Ice Ages and Global Warming
    Explains how Antarctica fits into the global environment and the possible impact of a polar ice melt.
    Review Exercise
    Multiple choice question measure what you learned while review the contents of this session. Immediate feedback and corrections are given to your responses. (Requires Netscape 2.x or Internet Explorer 3.x or higher to use).
    User Response Form
    Your opportunities to say what you liked, didn't like, and to request additional information on a topic.
    To the first section: Plate Tectonics | To About Antarctica Home