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School Projects With Glacial Lakes

Glacial lakes result from the valley created by a retreating glacier filling with water from the melting glacier. These lakes are found in the northern latitudes in mountainous regions such as Canada and Alaska. Glacial lakes play a significant role in the ecology of the area. School projects about these lakes encourage research on the subject. The final project will show how much the student learned about glacier lakes.

Slide Show
- Students create a slide show on a computer showing the steps of glacier lake formation. If desired, a single glacier lake can be used as a model. The history of how the glacier formed, moved and created the depression for the lake should be included. Photographs in the slide show presentation will help to better illustrate the steps of the glacier lake's history. Students can present the slide show with or without an accompanying lecture explaining the information in the presentation.
Scale 3-D Model
- Using clay or paper mache, students should construct a scale model of a glacier lake. The model must include all formations found surrounding the glacier lake such as the glacier, mountains and the valley. Clear labeling will show the student knows the names of these parts of the area.
Newscast
- Students should examine natural and man-made threats to glacier lakes and create a newscast report on those threats. This makes a good group project if the newscast will be filmed and shown to the class from a DVD or videotape, but it can also be an individual presentation given live before the class in the same manner as a newscast. Pictures embedded in the video or posters in the presentation should be used to further illustrate the threats.
Glacier Lake Ecosystem
- For a science-based project, have students draw a picture of a glacier lake ecosystem complete with flora and fauna. The students then should draw arrows on the picture showing the water cycle and the food web. This will help students to understand the interconnectedness of the organisms living in and around the glacier lake.

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