Global Warming

Talk about the major green house gases on earths’ atmosphere and how they help the Earth staying warm. Make groups of 2 to 3. Introduce lab and show how to search through internet.

Show the composition of atmospheric gases (%) and causes of air pollution.

Mini lesson on ‘carbon cycle’. Computer simulation (in groups) on ‘carbon cycle’ with quiz at the end.

Lab day.

Internet search on air pollution in groups. A short student report at the end.

Anchor Video

Brief introduction to Global Warming Overview of next four weeks

Handout Grading Rubric and explain what will be expected.

Students broken into pairs.

Show class Global Warming: “Focus on the Future” Computer Simulation

Discuss the huge statistical numbers, for example what does it mean, 60,000 tons of CO2 per day? How many tons of troposphere is there?

Lesson on Scientific Notation

*Turn in work

Benchmark Lesson on Internet Search and type of Data that can be collected in the Internet.

*Turn in work

Students use what they learned in Internet Search lesson to investigate “Is Global Warming Happening in Austin?”

*Turn in work

Finish lesson from previous day. Begin with a class discussion on the data collected during the previous day. Define slope and discuss the trends they notice in the temperatures in Austin over the years.

Talk briefly about exponential growth versus constant growth.

Week 2

Mini lesson on ‘global warming. Computer simulation (in groups) on ‘global warming’ with quiz at the end.

Ask about possible effect of the warming process and why it is a concern. ( what will happen if the polar icecaps starts melting) Showing relationship between CO2 level and atmosphere temperature for the last two or three decades.

Lesson 2 on estimation of CO2 present in normal and combusted air.

Lab day

Student report due on evidence (web sites) of increasing global temperature with increasing level of atmospheric CO2 gas.

Outline effects of global warming. Pictures of glacier melting and climate change across the globe will be presented. Other effects of climate change are forest fire, storm…

Other effects of warming can be on reduction of ozone layer and animal migration (detail on next week).

Lesson on intro to functions and variables, include domain and range.

Also, independent and dependent variables.

*Turn in work

Solve linear equations for unknown variables.

Go into more in depth explanation of linear equations, including slope-intercept form.

Graphing linear equations.

Manipulating Graphs Activity

*Turn in work

Lesson on Krakatoa:

Students look at the historical relevance of this volcanic eruption. Can another eruption like this enhance Global Warming? Deter Global Warming? Look at C02 emissions; manipulate and interpret data to support either stance.

*Turn in work

Continue lesson from previous day.

Students will write basic algebraic expressions to model these occurrences.

*Turn in algebraic expressions

Week 3

Mini lesson on ozone layer, how it protects the earth from harmful UV radiation and what change in its’ layer happened so far.

Research animal migration patterns in relation to plant distribution on internet. Short student report at the end.

Causes of warming. Human contribution to global warming. Other contributing factors …

Present data or pie chart about how much each state is contributing to the increased CO2 level in the atmosphere.

Overall class discussion about ‘global warming’ and its’ effect. Assessment at the end.

Lab Day

Students generate questions for research, looking at causes, potential impacts, and what can be altered through human intervention.

Decide on a prevention strategy to continue researching. List possible sources as well as what data do you will need?

Project Due Date: Project Prospectus and Concept Map

Begin Excel Tutorial

Students learn features such as: using a spreadsheet to enter in data, perform operations such as “+” and “-“, and make scatter plots

Complete Excel Tutorial, calculate sums and averages. Discuss average and mean values and their importance.

*Turn in tutorial.

Students begin setting up Project Excel Spreadsheet. Consider all of the quantities needed for the final project.

*Create and submit an Excel template that will be used for final project.

Ratio and Proportion M&M activity

*Turn in work.

Week 4

Brainstorm ideas about what can we do about the change of temperature? Is it too late? Discuss possible prevention strategies, like using alternate sources of energy instead of burning fossil fuels.

Internet search in groups on strategies that will help stop the warming process.

Accumulate knowledge in groups about how you might or policy makers might prevent global warming.

Lab day.

Concept map due on effects of global warming.

Lab day.

Concept map due on contributing factors.

How much C02 is there?

Students extend ratio and proportions activity to calculate current atmospheric levels of CO2 to other gases, utilizing some data collected during Environmental Sciences class.

Use Project Excel Spreadsheet

Lab Day

Use data collected thus far and prepare Introduction for final poster. Include proof of why Global Warming is happening and what you propose to do about it.

Final Poster Due Date: Introduction

Lesson on Extrapolation of Data Using Ozone Layer Model

How much C02 will there be?

Finish Ozone Layer lesson, apply methods to extrapolate data in your Project Excel Spreadsheet on the CO2 levels emitted by the cause they are researching 100 years from now.

Is it linear? Exponential? Something else? How do you know?

How much CO2 can we reduce?

Lab Day

Work on prevention plan. Incorporate into Project Excel Spreadsheet, use regression analysis and graphs to extrapolate how much C02 emissions can be reduced according to prevention plan

Week 5

Lab day.

Students work on their class presentation.

Lab day.

Students work on their class presentation and poster.

Group presentation
on their topic on how to reduce greenhouse gasses.

Continuation of class
presentation followed by discussions.

Poster presentation.

Assessment.

Focus Question: By how much have you reduced C02 emissions? Will your prevention method be enough to change the course of the current Global Warming trend? Compare and contrast the graphs from Thursday and Friday

Project Due Date: Project Excel Spreadsheet

Lab Day
Prepare analysis of final poster

Final Poster Due Date: Analysis

Lab Day

Work on Conclusion and Presentation of final poster. Students must be seen practicing presentations for full participation grade.

Final Poster Due Date: Conclusion

Group Presentations:

Round Robin- half of the class posters are put up on each side of the classroom. Each pair then presents their posters to half of the class, then switches.

Group Presentations:

Round Robin- the other half of the class posters are put up on each side of the classroom. Each pair then presents their posters to half of the class, then switches.