Ursula
Provided by: Polar Bears International|Published on: September 13, 2022|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Videos
Subjects: Biology, Earth and Space Sciences
Authors: Polar Bears International
Location: North America, Polar Regions
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 →
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 →
Synopsis
- This video highlights the life of a GPS-tracked polar bear named Ursula over several years as she cares for her babies, hunts for food on floating sea ice, travels in order to survive, and fasts for longer periods of time due to melting sea ice.
- Students will learn about the immense challenges that polar bears face due to the climate crisis and get to see how this particular polar was able to raise two sets of cubs in the Arctic.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The narrator in this video speaks articulately and slowly, making the video easy to follow.
- While this video makes the polar bears' hardships very apparent, it is also hopeful.
Additional Prerequisites
- This is an emotional video that highlights a specific polar bear, her cubs, and the difficulties that she faces, so prepare to provide students with opportunities to share their emotional reactions to this content.
Differentiation
- Show students on a map where Ursula traveled and have them discuss in groups why this movement was necessary.
- Provide students with opportunities to explore other resources from Polar Bears International including worksheets, additional videos, and a polar bear tracker.
- Have students watch this short video about how climate change is impacting the Adélie penguin population in Antarctica and compare these impacts to the challenges faced by polar bears.
- In a social studies class, consider showing students environmental murals such as "Footprint", "The Last Winter", and "On the Brink" and ask students to discuss human responsibility for wildlife.
- Other resources on this topic include this mini-poster and fact sheet about polar bears and this animated video which provides a simple introduction to climate change.
This is a 7:18 minutes video that shows the Ursula polar bear life and history. She had a GPS collar and the scientist followed her for several years until she lost her collar. The track was important to understand about the Polar Bear habits, movement and territory. They followed several Polar bears and they can use all information overtime to understand and create the Polar Bear habit/ movements. Human actions contribute to the Polar bear's declining population from the last few years. Climate change will be reducing the Polar bear population and also every life on the Earth. The importance of starting to use renewable energy is also highlighted. The sources are included in the video description. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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