While Flubber Glacier Flow lessons were designed for grades 2-3 [zip] and grades 3-5 [zip], they are also interesting to older students and adults. These are hands-on activities that simulate glacier flow for students. Students use a glacier-modeling compound called “FLUBBER” (which is made from glue, water, and corn starch) to predict and observe the flow of ice. While older recipes of Flubber use borax, this is no longer recommended for health and safety reasons.
Qualitatively, you can re-create a mountain glacier flowing down steep terrain or an ice sheet flowing outward across a continent. Quantitatively, you can model how scientists monitor the rate and direction glaciers flow.
PhET at the University of Colorado at Boulder has a simulation that allows students to explore the advance, retreat, and flow of glaciers and a second simulation that allows students to explore the greenhouse effect. The Flubber lesson provides a tangible experience for students to understand the flow of glaciers before they continue to investigate using PhET simulations. The PhET team consistently produces excellent computer simulations that are scientifically valid and provide students with opportunities to investigate difficult to visualize or experience concepts.
To ask questions or comment, e-mail or call the Education and Outreach team at bpcrc.outreach@osu.edu or 614-292-6007