What Have Scientists Discovered About The Relationship Between Global Temperature and Greenhouse Gases?
Catherine Fraser Riehle
(cfriehle@purdue.edu)
(ready to use)
Coauthors
ASK
Subject Areas
| Information Science, Science |
Grade Levels
Unit Keywords
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information literacy, global warming, climate change, greenhouse gases, research, environmental science |
Rationale of the Unit
| This unit exposes students to the scientific research process by providing hands on experience in finding and interpreting credible information and scientific data. Using traditional research methods as well as laboratory experiments, students will explore, engage in the research process, make informed claims, and participate in discussion about the causes, effects, and impacts of global climate change. |
Background and Resources
BACKGROUND -- brief overview
Students will investigate the causes and effects of global climate change. By comparing and interpreting scientific data from credible studies and participating in experiments, they will draw informed conclusions based on exploration and discovery.
READINGS -- texts, slides, audio/video
Provide for or allow students class time in a computer lab or at the library/media center to find sources that provide credible overviews on related topics, such as global warming and greenhouse gas emissions. Encyclopedia articles on these topics would be useful. An overview of bias and scholarly versus popular information would be helpful here.
WEB SITES -- sites for exploration and interaction
The Climate of 2008 (US and Global Climate Perspectives - NOAA monthly, weekly, and special reports and data
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/2008/perspectives.html
Greenhouse Gases, Climate Change, and Energy (National Energy Information Center)
http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/ggccebro/chapter1.html
RESOURCES AND SUPPLEMENT MATERIALS
Global Warming: Frequently Asked Questions (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Climatic Data Center)
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/globalwarming.html
Science and Technology Sources on the Internet: Global Warming and Climate Change Science
http://www.istl.org/01-fall/internet.html
If time allows, encourage students to use library databases to find articles on global climate change, including those that share diverse perspectives and viewpoints on the topic.
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Activities and Open-ended problems
Dialogues, Discussions, and Presentations
FACE-TO-FACE DIALOGUES
In small groups, discuss the causes and effects of global climate change? What did you discover: do greenhouse gases contribute? How and why?
ON-LINE DIALOGUES
Consider creating a class blog or wiki in which students can post and share with the class their thoughts as they participate in this investigation as well related questions and sources found.
IN-CLASS DISCUSSIONS
What are some differing opinions you found while doing research on global warming? What do YOU think? What can YOU personally do in your daily lives to help prevent global climate change?
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Assessment, Related Questions, and Story of the Unit
ASSESSMENT
Students will hand in graphs and interpretative papers evaluating scientific data.
If using the blog or wiki, you can require a certain number of posts or comments, and assess participation as well.
Consider:
Are the students' graphs clear and accurate? Did they understand the data presented in the graphs, and were they able to draw conclusions?
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Credits & Acknowledgements
| ARM Teachers' Lounge Resources for Teachers: Lesson Plan on "Amount of Greenhouse Gases in the Global Atmosphere" |
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