Adaptation - Ice Stupas of Ladakh
Videos
Grades6-APEarth and Space Sciences, Geography, Engineering
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by PBS
What it is
- This video examines the effects of climate change on the Himalayan people of Ladakh, specifically the issues of melting glaciers, which cause a chaotic mix of drought and flash floods.
- Students will learn about the innovative solution of ice stupas, giant constructed domes of ice that store water to be used as an irrigation source in the crop-planting months of April and May, as well as the building of an artificial glacier designed to provide a steady stream of irrigating water year-round.
Teaching tips
Positives
- Students will view helpful animated graphics depicting the construction of two different types of ice stupas.
- The importance of experimentation is emphasized and provides an excellent talking point about the value of never giving up.
- Stunning visuals of massive ice stupas, as well as the mountainous region itself, help to keep students engaged.
Additional Prerequisites
- A PBS ad may play before the video begins.
- Because the vocabulary is somewhat rigorous, a definition list will be helpful.
- A brief introductory definition of stupa would be beneficial.
Differentiation
- The video begins with a Ladakhi cultural event so teachers can use the visuals as a starting point for a class discussion about cultural events worldwide. How do events compare and contrast?
- Geography teachers can utilize the video as a starting point for a lesson about elevation, altitude, and cultures that survive at great physical heights.
- Stupas resemble very large, domed igloos with an interior pipe structure, so science teachers can have students recreate scaled-down stupas using ice or a warm-weather substitute.
- Math teachers can discuss the differences between the metric and imperial systems since the project developer in the video mentions measurements via the metric system.
From the scientist review
Climate change is causing unpredictable snow melt in the Himalayan high desert region of Ladakh, where locals use ice stupas, dome-shaped ice structures, to store water for spring. This video shows the hands-on work of engineers building and maintaining these structures and illustrates that the timing of available water is crucial. The video is in a documentary style and focuses heavily on the narrative rather than the hydrology of the Himalayas. Teachers could use this resource as an introduction for a more in-depth project. This resource is recommended for teaching.
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