Direction - How To Use This Tour (1)
Welcome to the tour. Make sure to follow your guide’s directions so you don’t get too far ahead.
This symbol takes you to a tour stop. Click on it when the guide tells you and you’ll be transported all around the park!
Nature Notes
Record your ideas, questions, and answers onto these notebook pages!
If you see this symbol, it means you should answer the question.
If you see this symbol, it means you should stop and record any questions you have.
If you see this symbol, it’s time to show what you’ve learned. Make sure to review your notes before your answer.
Direction - How To Use This Tour (2)
Practice writing in your Nature Notes by answering the question on the left.
Nature Notes
What is one of your favorite things to do in the outdoors?
(record your ideas here)
Direction - How To Use This Tour (3)
Park Guide
The Park Guide provides students with additional information on the part of the park you will visit on your tour.
If you see this icon you can come back and click it later when you have time to learn more about the topic in the Park Guide.
Tour Overview
Introduction - Rothera
Rothera Station
Built in 1975, Rothera Station is home to 130 scientists focused on research. The station is also home to the only Antarctic indie rock band, which participated in the 2007 Live Earth concrete with bands from all 7 continents.
← Click here for Stop #1
Click here to learn more about what it is like to live in an Arctic Research Station.
Anchor Question
Nature Notes
What is one of your favorite things to do in the outdoors?
(record your ideas here)
← Click here for Stop #2
What effects will climate change bring to our National Parks?
Climate vs. Weather
Olympic Nat’l Park
Located in northwest Washington, Olympic Nat’l Park is known for its Temperate Rainforests, high mountain peaks, and expansive, rocky coastline!
← Click here for Stop #3
Take a two-minute tour of Olympic Nat’l Park!
Climate vs. Weather
Nature Notes
In your own words, what is the difference between weather and climate?
(record your ideas here)
← Click here for Stop #4
Phenology
Nature Notes
What types of phenological events can be thrown off due to climate change?
(record your ideas here)
← Click here for Stop #5
Rainfall
Great Smoky Mountain Nat’l Park
Great Smoky Mountain Nat’l Park is the most visited park in the entire country. The mountains are also one of the oldest ranges in all of North America!
← Click here for Stop #6
Take a Google Earth tour of the Great Smoky Mountains!
Rainfall
Nature Notes
What are the different ways that climate can affect rainfall?
(record your ideas here)
← Click here for Stop #7
Rising Temperatures
Lassen Volcanic Nat’l Park
Cinder cones, extinct volcanoes, and bubbling thermal vents dot the landscape at Lassen Volcanic Nat’l Park, which sits in the shadow of the 10,000 foot tall Mt. Lassen.
← Click here for Stop #8
Check out the steaming vents and boiling mud of Lassen’s thermal features!
Rising Temperatures
Nature Notes
Why are rising temperatures a concern for parks both on land and in the sea?
(record your ideas here)
← Click here for Stop #9
Glaciers
Glacier Nat’l Park
“The Crown of the Continent” Glacier Nat’l Park was established in 1910. It is home to 26 glaciers, but that number is shrinking due to a changing climate.
← Click here for Stop #10
Check out the steaming vents and boiling mud of Lassen’s thermal features!
Glaciers
Nature Notes
How is the disappearance of glaciers a problem for food chains and ecosystems?
(record your ideas here)
← Click here for Stop #11
Effects on Species
Nature Notes
What ways do species deal with changes to their habitat as a result of the environment?
(record your ideas here)
← Click here for Stop #12
Sea Level Rise
Nature Notes
How might rising sea levels affect coastal parks?
(record your ideas here)
← Click here for Stop #13
Sequoia
Joshua Tree
Biscayne
Rocky Mountain
Dry Tortugas
Mount Rainier
Final Challenge
Use what you have learned to help “predict” the biggest threats each of the parks on the previous slide face as a result of climate change
(record your ideas here)
(continue recording your ideas here)
Vocabulary
Climate Change - human-induced changes in regional and/or global climate patterns.
Weather- the state of things at a given time in regards to the rain, temperature, etc.
Climate - the weather conditions that are likely in general over a long period of time.
Phenology - the study of seasonal natural phenomena.
Biodiversity - the variety of life in a particular area or ecosystem.
Adaptation - to change your structure, function, or behavior as a way to improve chances of survival.
Migration - to move from one area to another.
Extirpation - to wipe out or die.