Discussion Questions: Students Measure Changes in Lake Ice and Snow

How does monitoring ice thickness on lakes help us understand climate change?
Why are lakes described as storehouses for heat?
If climate is warming in the area of these Alaskan lakes, what do you think you might observe in (a) snow density, (b) temperature gradient, and (c) time of ice formation and melting?
How important do you think it is for the assistants to follow procedures so that the data is reliable? Do you have to be an expert in the field to contribute to the study of science?
Why do you think it is important to collect data over a long period of time?