This set of animations and interactive simulations from the Byrd Polar Research Center at Ohio State University helps students develop an understanding of models used to understand the Earth system. Students consider the types of data that need to be included in a climate model, looking at inputs, outputs, and variables. The animations show how data is calculated for grid cells and assembled into a comprehensive model.

This issue of the free online magazine, Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears, highlights resources that help elementary teachers learn about climate change and teach their students important foundational concepts.

"This lesson plan focuses on the genocide in Rwanda that occurred in 1994 when the Hutu government targeted the Tutsi population and Hutu moderates who were against the government. Students will complete a document-based question activity in small groups. Collaboratively, they will read two primary source documents while answering corresponding questions. Following this activity, the teacher will assess their learning with a check for understanding. Once completed with the assessment, the students will continue with the document-based question activity by analyzing the two remaining primary source documents which also correspond with several questions. After students have finished the analysis activity, they will participate in a synthesis discussion. This will give students an opportunity to explain misunderstandings and share thoughts pertaining to the topic of the lesson. Further, the students will be able to explain their reasoning to invoke discussion and all responses must be supported by content, evidence from the primary source documents, and prior knowledge from the Origins article. After the class discussion, the students will work individually to write a thesis statement based on the material learned from the sources. The Exit Ticket for this lesson allows students to submit their Graphic Organizers to the teacher."

In this activity students work with data to analyze local and global temperature anomaly data to look for warming trends. The activity focuses on the Great Lakes area.