Photo: Simon Gee / Polar Bears International

Integrated STEM - Polar Bear Math and Science

Integrating mathematics with polar bear science in K-12 education, we demonstrate how scientific questions can give rise to mathematical questions.

Photo: Tim Auer / Polar Bears International

The Role of the Unit

Discover the intersection between mathematics and polar bear science corresponding to each of the mathematical domains outlined in the Common Core State Standards for mathematics. This unit was created in collaboration with Dr. Jody Reimer and Linda Zhao, University of Utah, Department of Mathematics.

Polar bear mom and her twin cubs waiting for the sea ice to freeze

Photo: BJ Kirschhoffer / Polar Bears International

Lessons Overview

Through these lessons students will gain familiarity with standard operations and advance to unit conversion, ratios and proportional units; probability and random sampling; experimental design; estimating and interpreting trend lines; and extrapolation outside of observed values.

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Unit Plans

Geometry of Polar Bear Movement

Explore how polar bears move through their sea ice home and its unique geometry. This lesson integrates several middle-school geometry concepts such as area, angles, and the Pythagorean Theorem into broader questions about polar bear movement.

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Unit Conversion – Polar Bears and Energy

Learn about how much energy a polar bear needs and how much energy their food provides. This middle school lesson provides several opportunities to practice unit conversions, motivated by a desire to understand polar bear energy demands. You will compare polar bear and human energy needs, and the caloric value of a seal versus human snack foods.

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Linear Trends in Sea Ice Data

The amount of sea ice in the Arctic is changing! How can we understand these patterns? This lesson plan for grades 9-12 intuitively motivates the concepts of trend lines, linear models, and extrapolation through examination of data on Arctic sea ice over recent decades.

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Counting Polar Bears Using Probability

Figuring out how many polar bears there is no easy task, but using probability can help. This high school lesson plan includes a hands-on "simulation" of how scientists determine the size of a population. It also intuitively explores ideas of sample size and experimental design.

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Geometry of Polar Bear Movement

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Unit Conversion – Polar Bears and Energy

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Other Resources

Use the following learning activities and tools to supplement the math unit lesson plans and bring polar bears to life in your classroom.

Learning Tools

Polar Bear Diet and Prey: How they hunt and what they eat.
Four Sea Ice Ecoregions: Explore where the sea ice bears call home.
Polar Bear Tracker: Follow wild polar bears on Hudson Bay as they navigate the ice in search of seals.
Mark Re-Capture Science: Studying abundance.
Mark Re-Capture Studies in Canada: Population studies in Canada.
Arctic Sea Ice Extent: This chart and video demonstrate the long-term trends in sea ice loss in the Arctic.
Polar Bear Conservation Concerns: Climate change is the main threat to polar bears. Others include commercial activities, pollution, and conflict.

Become Inspired

Watch our archived Tundra Connections webcasts and take a tour of the polar bear’s world through our live cams. See polar bears, meet scientists, and ask questions!