1. Human Energy Systems Unit Activity 1.3: Graphing Arctic Sea Ice
Carbon: Transformations in Matter and Energy
Environmental Literacy Project Michigan State University
Human Energy Systems Unit Activity 1.3: Graphing Arctic Sea Ice
Image/photo courtesy of the National Snow and Ice Data Center, University of Colorado, Boulder

2. How do we represent data?
One way we represent data is in a pie chart. What are other ways that we represent data?
(write student ideas here)

3. Why do we represent data in these ways?
Why do scientists represent data in these ways? For example, why would a pie chart be better than a table?
What about other ways (graphs, images, charts, tables, etc.)
Consider what different information can be displayed in different representations.
Year Km
1979
7.2
1980
7.8
1981

4. In this activity we are making a graph of data about arctic sea ice
In this activity we are making a graph of data about arctic sea ice. Why?
Image/photo courtesy of the National Snow and Ice Data Center, University of Colorado, Boulder
What will a graph allow us to see that these images don’t?

5. Graph Title
Vertical Axis
Vertical Axis Label
Horizontal Axis
Units
Units
Horizontal Axis Label

6. What do these graphs tell us?
Average Rainfall in a Desert in Egypt
What do these graphs tell us?
What does the horizontal axis tell us?
What does the vertical axis tell us?
What do the graphs tell us about rainfall overall?
Average Rainfall in a Coniferous Forest in Canada
Credit:
Turn and Talk: With a partner, think of a 3-5 sentence description of the information in these graphs. Be prepared to share your explanation with the class.

7. Option 1: Go to http://nsidc
Option 1: Go to to find data about artic sea ice extent (Select Hemisphere Northern, Start Year  1979, Start Month September, and Image Sea Ice Extent, and check the “Fixed Month Animations” Box)
Image/photo courtesy of the National Snow and Ice Data Center, University of Colorado, Boulder

8. Option 2: Use the following slides to complete the table on Page 1 of your worksheet.
Image/photo courtesy of the National Snow and Ice Data Center, University of Colorado, Boulder

9. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 1979
Image/photo courtesy of the National Snow and Ice Data Center, University of Colorado, Boulder

10. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 1980

11. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 1981

12. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 1982

13. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 1983

14. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 1984

15. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 1985

16. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 1986

17. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 1987

18. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 1988

19. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 1989

20. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 1990

21. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 1991

22. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 1992

23. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 1993

24. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 1994

25. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 1995

26. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 1996

27. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 1997

28. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 1998

29. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 1999

30. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 2000

31. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 2001

32. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 2002

33. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 2003

34. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 2004

35. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 2005

36. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 2006

37. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 2007

38. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 2008

39. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 2009

40. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 2010

41. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 2011

42. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 2012

43. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 2013

44. Arctic Sea Ice Extent: September, 2014