Introduces scientific, economic, and ecological issues underlying the threat of global climate change, and the institutions engaged in negotiating an international response. Develops an integrated approach to analysis of climate change processes, and assessment of proposed policy measures, drawing on research and model development within the MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change.

This is lesson five of a 9-lesson module. Activity explores the effects of climate change on different parts of the Earth system and on human well-being: polar regions, coral reefs, disease vectors, extreme weather, and biodiversity.

This video segment adapted from NOVA/FRONTLINE examines the greenhouse effect, its role in keeping Earth habitable, and the industrial changes that have led to an increase in the planet's average temperature.

This workshop involves students in evaluating the efficacy of posters as a communication tool, focusing on elements of clarity in poster and graphic design.

How do greenhouse gases affect the climate? Explore the atmosphere during the ice age and today. What happens when you add clouds? Change the greenhouse gas concentration and see how the temperature changes. Then compare to the effect of glass panes. Zoom in and see how light interacts with molecules. Do all atmospheric gases contribute to the greenhouse effect?

This intereactive Flash applet helps children learn grouping, tally marks, place value, addition, and subtraction. Students help the alien spaceship move cows into corrals by counting by 5s and 10s. They also can apply those grouping skills to practice adding and subtracting two-digit numbers with regrouping. Audio cues and prompts reinforce the user's actions and facilitate counting and the development of math language.

The marine environment is unique and requires technologies that can use sound to gather information since there is little light underwater. The sea-floor is characterized using underwater sound and acoustical systems. Current technological innovations are allowing scientists to further understand and apply information about animal locations and habitat. Remote sensing and exploration with underwater vehicles allows scientists to map and understand the sea floor, and in some cases, the water column. In this lesson, the students will be shown benthic habitat images produced by GIS. These imaged will lead to a class discussion on why habitat mapping is useful and how current technology works to make bathymetry mapping possible. The teacher will then ask inquiry-based questions to have students brainstorm about the importance of bathymetry mapping.

In this video segment adapted from United Tribes Technical College, meet Native Americans who are concerned about climate change and believe that action today can help future generations once again live in harmony with Earth.

The professor sells an announced number of M&M packets (or other inexpensive good) through an auction to derive a classroom demand schedule. The resulting demand schedule is displayed as a "curve" and facilitates discussion of consumer demand.

In this math lesson, learners read the book "How Big Is a Foot?" by Rolf Myller to explore the need for a standard unit of measure. Students then create non-standard units (using their own footprints) and use the footprints to make "beds." This lesson guide includes a student activity sheet, questions for learners, assessment options, extensions, and reflection questions.

This lesson emphasizes the connections between science and mathematics by using a performance, or authentic, assessment format. Students will develop measurement skills as they relate the size of their fists to the size of their hearts. Students have the opportunity to explore applications involving their own hearts. An activity sheet (pdf) is included.

Spreadsheets Across the Curriculum module. Students use Polya's problem-solving heuristic to find the distance of a peak using vertical angles sighted from a wagon train heading toward the peak.

Use an astrolabe to measure the height of objects, and see seasonal changes over time.

In this lesson, students use historical nonstandard units (digits, hand, cubit, yard, foot, pace, fathom) to estimate the lengths of common objects and then measure using modern standard units. They will discover the usefulness of standardized measurement units and tools. An activity sheet (pdf), assessment options and other commentary are provided.

The activities in this 6-lesson unit use fish-shaped crackers to help students develop their understanding of comparative subtraction by exploring five meanings of subtraction (counting, sets, number line, balance, and inverse of addition). Students investigate properties of subtraction, represent subtraction with objects and pictures, record subtraction with vertical notation and equations, create and solve problems, and carry out missing addend activities. Lessons include questions for student discussion and teacher reflection, extensions, printable student sheets, assessment options, and links to online applets.

This interactive Flash applet helps students develop number sense and fluency with addition and subtraction facts within 10. Okta hides some bubbles under a shell, and then either adds more bubbles or takes some away. Students determine how many bubbles are left under the shell. Users can choose a specific one-digit starting number or let the applet choose randomly. Users can select addition, subtraction or both.

This lesson focuses learners on the concept of 1,000,000. It allows learners to see firsthand the sheer size of 1 million, while at the same time providing learners with an introduction to sampling and its use in mathematics. Learners use grains of rice and a balance to figure out the approximate volume and weight of 1,000,000 grains of rice. This lesson guide includes questions for learners, assessment options, extensions, and reflection questions.

In this recycling activity students conduct a poll and display data showing which type of material the survey population feels is the best for shopping bags. Students share their results in a data display of their choice and then use the data to draw conclusions and create a recycling plan. The activity includes the student worksheet, extension suggestions, and related resources.

This article examines the sixth of seven essential principles of the climate sciences--"We Change Earth's Climate." Written for the science teacher, the article covers greenhouse gases, land-use changes, and other human-induced causes of global climate change. Each issue of the free online magazine Beyond Weather and the Water Cycle is structured around one of the seven principles. The content provides background information, lessons, and activities for K-5 classrooms.

In this video segment adapted from the National Film Board of Canada, learn how the Inuit people have used their traditional knowledge to understand and adapt to changes in their Arctic environment, particularly when hunting and navigating the landscape.