Students use tracking data collected by Argos satellites to follow the longest known journey of an arctic fox. By learning about the life history of the arctic fox, students use data to hypothesize about animal behavior and write the story of the traveling fox.
Learning Goal
Students learn how satellites and tracking data can be used to help understand how animals live in the wild.
Learning Objectives
- Students will interpret data to better understand animal behavior.
- Students will use evidence to create a story that reflects their understanding of the connection between living things and their environment.
Educational Standards
- NGSS 4-ESS2-2: Analyze and interpret data from maps to describe patterns of Earth’s features.
- NGSS 3-ESS2-2: Obtain and combine information to describe climates in different regions of the world.
- NGSS DC LS2.A: Interdependent relationships in ecosystems
- NGSS SEP: Analyzing & Interpreting Data; Constructing Explanations; Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
- NGSS CCC: Patterns; Stability & Change
- National Geography Standards: How to use maps and other geographic representations, geospatial technologies, and spatial thinking to understand and communicate information
Materials
- Projector and computer with Internet access
- Student Page 1: Follow That Fox! pages 5-6
- Student Page 2: Five Parts of the Fox’s Long Journey pages 7-9
- Fun Fox Facts Handout page 10
- Slide 1: Arctic Foxes page 11
- Slide 2: Fox with an Argos Tracking Tag page 12
- Slide 3: Map of the Fox’s Path page 13
- Video: Argos-4: Tracking from Space (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBc_MeKRMNc)
- Pencils and paper
Preparation
- Print student pages and Fun Fox Facts handout.
- Review the Argos-4 video, Fun Fox Facts handout, and slides.
- Prepare to project Slides 1-3 for the class.