We are excited to share that one of our recent academic papers has now been adapted into an article for teens, published in Science Journal for Kids and Teens—an online science magazine that rewrites freely downloadable peer-reviewed research papers for kids (and their teachers). Our adapted piece is titled “What are good ways to track melting glaciers?” and it presents science in ways that are accessible, engaging, and relevant for young learners, from middle school to lower high school. It’s currently available only in English, with translations into other languages planned.

It’s great to see our research being put to use in ways that help young people learn. It reminds us that good science is also about communication and inspiring the next generation. This learning unit helps students explore climate change and glacier science in an age-appropriate format. And, teachers can bring cutting-edge science into the classroom, using a version of our work with supporting materials.

What’s the article about

Glaciers are melting all over the world. What we measure, and how we measure it, matters more than ever. The adapted article for teens …

• … explains why glacier melting is a serious issue—impacting water supplies, runoff and sea level rise.
• … describes four major methods scientists use to track changes in glaciers:
  1. direct observations
  2. satellite-based digital elevation models
  3. altimetry
  4. gravimetry
• … compares the strengths and limitations of those methods. Because different methods capture different aspects (e.g. spatial coverage, temporal resolution), combining datasets gives a more complete picture.
• … shows that globally, glaciers lost roughly 5% of their mass between 2000 and 2023. Regional losses ranged from about 2% to almost 40%.
• … includes teacher-materials and lesson ideas, making it a ready resource for classroom use.

Jacqueline Bannwart, Michael Zemp, World Glacier Monitoring Service