Sea Ice from space
Introduction to Sea Ice and Climate
This session explores the role of Arctic sea ice in the Earth’s climate system and how satellite technology helps us monitor and understand its changes over time. The Arctic is the most northerly area of the globe. In the Arctic Ocean, areas are entirely or partly covered by sea ice most of the year, which makes it a challenge for explorers and scientists to access the area for research. Since 1979 satellites have been monitoring sea ice. Different kinds of technologies have been used to achieve this goal. Looking at the Arctic from space allows us to acquire measurements and track changes in areas that were previously impossible.
In this set of activities, you will use satellite images to analyse sea ice concentration and extent and how these parameters have changed dramatically in the last decades. In this way you will analyse one of the most important indicators scientists have to study climate change and its possible consequences. You will work like a real climate scientist!
📌 Why is Sea Ice Important?
- Regulates Climate – Sea ice reflects sunlight (high albedo), reducing ocean warming.
- Influences Ocean Circulation – Affects global currents and weather patterns.
- Supports Ecosystems – Essential for Arctic species like polar bears and seals.
- Impacts Human Activities – Influences shipping routes and coastal communities.
🔗 ESA’s CryoSat Mission monitors sea ice thickness and extent, using satellite imagery to provide data on climate change.
📡 Learn more: ESA CryoSat
Session Activities – Investigating Sea Ice with Satellite Data
Participants act as climate scientists, analyzing real-world satellite images to study Arctic sea ice trends.
Activity 1 – Sea Ice Today: Where Can We Find It?
🌍 Students explore satellite maps to identify regions covered by sea ice and compare ice concentration across different locations.
🔎 Key Questions:
- Where do we expect to find sea ice?
- How does sea ice distribution differ between the Arctic and Antarctic?
- How do scientists use satellite data to monitor sea ice?
Activity 2 – Sea Ice Through the Seasons
📊 Objective: Analyze seasonal and long-term variations in sea ice extent.
🗓️ Key Investigations:
- When do we observe the highest and lowest sea ice extent within a year?
- How does seasonal variation impact climate and ecosystems?
- How has sea ice changed over decades, and what does this indicate about climate change?
🔗 Explore sea ice data: ESA Climate Office
Activity 3 – Sea Ice Awareness Campaign
🌍 Students create a public awareness campaign on sea ice loss and climate change using different communication formats:
🎙️ Radio Commercial (30-60 sec) – Script, sound effects, key message.
📜 Magazine Promo Page – Title, heading, supporting data.
📢 Poster or Meme – A visual message to raise awareness.
📲 Social Media Posts – Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok campaigns with hashtags.
📌 The goal is to communicate the urgency of sea ice melting and its consequences in an engaging way.
You can find the resource here.