p r e s e n t e d b y a d i v i s i o n o f L e a r n i n g A - ZScience a-z

NASA is the part of the United States government that sends rockets into space. So why did NASA scientists drop rubber-duck bath toys into holes in a glacier in Greenland?

The answer takes some explaining. It starts with the gases that cars and factories send into the air. These gases keep making Earth warmer.

Earth is so warm now that many glaciers are melting faster than they used to.

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Glaciers are made of snow and ice. When they melt, sea levels rise. If seas keep rising, coastlines all over the world will get flooded.

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Glacier MazeThe scientists are about to drop their rubber ducks down the holes. Trace each duck’s path through the glacier to discover where each one will come out in each exit hole. Then number each exit hole.

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Earth’s surface

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Rubber Duckies, Glaciers, and Global Warming

By Ron Fridell

See Rubber Ducks on page 2

Global warming

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Scientists want to learn where all that glacier water is going. Then maybe they can teach the world how to keep glaciers from melting and flooding the land. So they chose a glacier in Greenland. Warm temperatures have melted holes deep into the ice. These holes are like tunnels. Some carry melted water all the way to the ocean.

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In September 2009, NASA dropped 90 rubber ducks into these holes. Some ducks will end up in the ocean, where sailors and fishermen may find them. Each bright-yellow duck was labeled with a message. It asks the finder to report where the duck was found.

No ducks have been reported so far. But scientists are hopeful. Maybe someday the ducks will help them understand what is happening to Earth’s glaciers.

Rubber DucksContinued from page 1

Pick a toy that you loved to play with when you were younger. Think about why you loved it and make a list of reasons. Then use your list to help you write an essay or poem about playing with your favorite toy.

Write About This!

The past decade, from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2009, was the warmest in recorded history.

Why Rubber Duckies?One reason to use rubber duckies is their low cost. NASA has to think about saving money, just like a lot of us do. NASA could have spent money designing a new device to travel through glaciers, but rubber duckies already exist. And they are not expensive! Another reason to use these toys is that they come in bright, easy-to-spot colors. When the duckies finish their trips through the glaciers, people may be able to find them easily. Also, these toys float and bob around, making them a great choice. Still, it might sound funny for scientists to be “playing” with rubber duckies.

Three rubber ducks in the glacier’s water

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