Introduction |
| Anchor Video |
| Concept Map |
| Project Calendar |
| Lesson Plans |
Letter to Parents |
| Assessments |
| Resources |
Modifications |
| Grant |
Algebra I
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This project based instruction unit focuses on the issues, causes, effects, and prevention of global warming. The project is designed to be taught to an Algebra I class, implementing the mathematical reasoning behind global warming. This involves many TEKS objectives including concepts such as functions, variables, dependence, linear and exponential relationships, slope, domain, range, etc. The project emphasizes data collected through the Internet and analysis using graphing calculators and Microsoft Excel. By the end of the unit, students will be expected to present data in numerous ways, verbally, graphically, and in a table format. Students will also be able to interpret data and find a pattern in order to extrapolate it into the past and the future. They will use this data to estimate by how much CO2 emissions can be reduced in the future if we make a change today. The mathematics behind this project is basic and will be easy to implement through the lessons. However, it is important for any math teacher who will be using this project to understand the fundamental scientific processes of global warming. For example, the main idea is that there are an overabundance of greenhouse gases, most importantly CO2, being released into the Earth’s atmosphere. Very simply, it is these gases that are causing the global warming we are experiencing today. Following are websites to visit in order to get a more thorough understanding of global warming in general:
Listed below are many well presented simulations that might also help:
In addition, teachers should be well versed on how we can prevent the current threat posed by global warming, please refer to these sites:
Environmental science
The environmental part of this unit focuses on the scientific processes behind global warming. The main idea will be---Due to the build up of the greenhouse gases earth is getting warmer each year since the last ice age. Not only that, there is something special about the atmosphere at the present moment, carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration has gone up to a much higher level compared to the previous years. Weather scientists are predicting severe weather forecasts (extreme temperatures, drought, flood and many other natural disasters) coming ahead which may start as soon as within 50 years. It is hard to believe since we are not experiencing it at the present moment. But it is our children and their generations who are going to experience it in future. The project is designed for high school students, which involves many TEKS objectives including concepts such as greenhouse gases and their effects, fossil fuel, carbon cycle, global warming cycle, ozone layer, animal migration, renewable energy sources (more importantly) etc. The project emphasizes on teaching the scientific reasoning behind global warming followed by students’ collecting information (in the form of graph and data as necessary) through the Internet to draw a conclusion about their findings. The Algebra I unit of this project will deal more on finding data and graphs using graphing calculators and Microsoft excel and extrapolation of the graphs (as necessarily) in order to predict the future effects of build up of greenhouse gases. For example, while collecting data on ozone holes (as one of the outcomes of greenhouse gases) that are getting bigger each year, students can calculate and predict the size (diameter) of the holes in the coming years.
Some helpful websites used for understanding global warming and greenhouse gases are: Computer simulation on global warming. http://earthguide.ucsd.edu/earthguide/diagrams/greenhouse/ Simulation games and quiz on global warming. http://epa.gov/climatechange/kids/global_warming_version2.html Computer simulation, games and quiz on global carbon cycle. http://epa.gov/climatechange/kids/carbon_cycle_version2.htm CO2 level and temperature change http://www.whole-systems.org/co2.html On ozone depletion http://www.ess-home.com/news/global-warming/ozone-depletion.asp On animal migration http://www.un.org/works/environment/animalplanet/polarbear.html
They will search through internet to know about the natural disasters happening now and what scientists are predicting for the future. The following sites have good visual pictures: Effects of Global Warming -- High-Latitude Melting http://www.net.org/warming/stills.html Pictures of effects of global warming http://reference.aol.com/planet-earth/global-warming/photos more pictures on effects:
They will be given the idea that each one of us are contributing to this warming process in addition to the natural processes, like decomposition of organic matters and CO2 excretion to the atmosphere by sea water. As people are getting educated about global warming, they are thinking about possible strategies in order to prevent the incoming truth. Once they will know about the ways we are producing more heat absorbing gases, they can start thinking if it is possible to stop or reduce producing those harmful gases. Here are some sites they can use to make a prevention plan:
Prevention strategies http://globalgreen.org/programs/climate/index.html?gclid=CN2x96HciIoCFQnugAodFTUTeg http://reference.aol.com/planet-earth/global-warming/top-tips-stop-global-warming
The project will end up with students’ power point presentation and poster shows which they will prepare in groups using internet under the supervision of a mentor teacher.
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