In “Temperatures Around the World” (Activity Five), students analyze temperature data taken from the GLOBE program, an Internet-mediated system of schools around the world dedicated to providing scientifically valid data on environmental characteristics related to weather, climate, and ecology. In graphing the data, students discover that the pattern of temperature change from summer to winter in one hemisphere is reversed with respect to the opposite hemisphere. This further dispels the idea that the Earth-Sun distance is responsible for seasons.

The changing seasons account for the variation in weather conditions. See some of the record weather conditions.	The GLOBE program is a worldwide network of students, teachers, and scientists working together to study and understand the global environment. GLOBE students make environmental observations at or near their schools and report their data through the Internet. Scientists use GLOBE data in their research and provide feedback to the students to further enrich their science education and exchange ideas. (Web link requires an Internet connection)

How do you tell when Spring has arrived? In central Alaska a contest has been held for over 80 years to predict the breakup of ice in the Tatana River. The ice does not break up at the same time each year. The air temperature, ice thickness, snow cover, wind, water temperature, and depth of water below the ice all affect the breakup time. The ice usually breaks up in late April or early May. The time this happens over different years may indicate changes in climate. (Web link requires an Internet connection)     In November 2000, Ann Bancroft and Liv Arnesen became the first women to cross Antarctica in the longest ski trek ever by women. Their expedition was broadcast over the internet to an audience of three million students. In the spring of 2005 Ann and Liv will attempt to become the first women to cross the Arctic Ocean. Educational opportunities and curriculum can be found at their Web site. (http://www.yourexpedition.com) (Web link requires an Internet connection)

Information on current Antarctic weather and other links. (Web link requires an Internet connection)     The Journey North is a web-based project to track animal migration in the spring. Journey North is a free on-line educational service, supported by the Annenberg/CPB Math and Science Project. “The journeys of a dozen migratory species are tracked each spring. Students share their own field observations with classrooms across the Hemisphere. In addition, students are linked with scientists who provide their expertise directly to the classroom. Several migrations are tracked by satellite telemetry, providing live coverage of individual animals as they migrate. As the spring season sweeps across the Hemisphere, students note changes in daylight, temperatures, and all living things as the food chain comes back to life.” (Web link requires an Internet connection)

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