Alaska Pipeline
1/11/2020
We have been learning about different regions of Alaska. Along the way, we learned about the Alaskan Pipeline and what engineers needed to consider when building it. When making the Alaskan Pipeline, engineers decided they couldn’t bury much of the pipeline because of the permafrost. The hot oil in the pipes would melt the permafrost in the ground and damage the landscape. Engineers also needed to take into consideration migrating animals and earthquakes. It was necessary for the pipeline to be high enough above the ground to not interfere with migration patterns. Alaska's physical landscape is very unique, having a variety of terrains. For instance, the Brooks Range is a massive mountain range above the Arctic Circle that made the installation of the pipeline a difficult challenge for engineers. Molly Liston, our PE teacher, has led backpacking trips in the Brooks Range. We loved learning about this area of Alaska and her adventures! Thank you, Molly, for stopping in to tells us about your experiences! Students were challenged to design their own “pipeline.” Can you build a pipeline that can transport a cup of water from one end to the other? As with any hands-on activity, we spent time reflecting. How well did we work with our group? Did we use our materials efficiently? What surprised you? What would you change about your design? It has been wonderful seeing students progressively improve collaborating together and tackling challenges while making connections to state standards. Comments are closed.
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Jessica GrahamMs. Graham graduated from the University of Alabama with a BS in Early Childhood/Elementary Education, and is currently working on her master's in reading. She enjoys hiking, traveling, arts & crafts, and playing the ukulele. Archives
April 2021
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