Caribou Migration Update: February 12, 2003
Welcome to the Adventure! 2003 marks the second year we will follow the incredible Porcupine caribou migration. Using satellite telemetry we will follow the caribou herd from their wintering grounds in the Brooks Mountain Range to the calving grounds on the Arctic coastal plain. The Porcupine caribou herd is the 8th largest migratory caribou herd in North America and its range is as geographically diverse as it is large. Scientists use the information they gather from the caribou locations to learn more about the animals and their habitat. We can use the information to learn about the animals, too. Join us and learn about the Porcupine caribou and their spring migration to the Arctic Coastal Plain! First Winter Range Map and Satellite Data
Remember, the entire herd is estimated to be about 123,000 animals! Each of the satellite-collared cows is mingling with thousands of other caribou. Use your imaginations to picture each of the colored dots as one animal within a huge grouping of other caribous in the same ridge, valley or plain on the Arctic map. Use today's data to create your own map or study ours. Every update we will provide new data for you to track, and keep track of the caribou as they move toward their summer calving grounds. Study the map and gather your resources to answer the first Challenge Questions of the season.
(To respond to these questions, please follow the instructions below.) Video Clip: Animated Movements of the Porcupine Caribou Want to see a sneak preview of the caribou migration? This animation, created with 10 years of satellite tracking data shows us a composite of the migrations of the Porcupine caribou. When you watch it we hope you will see things that make you think about this incredible animal and its habits.
Viewing Guide
Gather all this information together and answer this BIG question-
(To respond to this question, please follow the instructions below.) Land of the Caribou
Isabella, Catherine and Blixen are wintering right near Old Crow, Yukon this week. Here are some facts about the weather there today:
(To respond to this question, please follow the instructions below.) Can you calculate temperatures in both Celsius and Fahrenheit? Try doing the math in your head or with fractions using these handy formulas: Any day of the week you can find out about the weather in Old Crow, Yukon. Meet the Caribou Collared caribou are all cows. We like to call them “the Gals.”
They have really fun names; Blixen, Cupid, Donner,
Isabella, Lucky, Lupine, Lynetta and Catherine.
This year many of the collars need to be replaced. We will meet some new
caribou, and YOU may even get a chance to name some of them! How do You Say Porcupine Caribou in Science-speak? Or...All Kingdoms Aren't Just for Kings
Did you know that scientists discovered a long time ago that they needed a universal language for talking about animals and plants? They created a system of naming called “taxonomy.” Taxonomy, a classification system that is now used throughout the scientific community looks complicated, but every living thing is classified using it. It is broken down into these categories:
How is a caribou described in taxonomic terms? How does a caribou compare to a human being? How do you ever remember this list of names? Read on for the full story: Meet the Team We couldn’t offer this migration project without the help of many important people and organizations. Take a minute and meet some of them. Mapping Skills: Are YOU Ready for the Migration? You may want to use this lesson and tips to develop your mapping skills for tracking the caribou migration.
Need a Map? Teacher Tips: NEW Reading and Writing Connections AND Instructional Strategies for Lesson Planning Journey North is offering NEW Reading and Writing Connections that utilize research-based instructional strategies to help students develop essential skills as they delve deeply into their understanding of the world through texts with real people, events, and issues. How to Use Journey North Video Clips How to Respond to Today's Challenge Questions:
1. Address an e-mail message to: jn-challenge-caribou@learner.org Copyright 2003 Journey
North. All Rights Reserved. |