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Gulf Stream Heat Budget and Europe's Mild Climate: A Problem-based Learning Activity

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In this role-playing activity, learners are presented with a scenario in which they will determine whether the Gulf Stream is responsible for keeping Europe warm. They must also address the potential future of the Gulf Stream if polar ice were to continue melting. The students work in small groups to identify the issue, discuss the problem, and develop a problem statement. They are then asked what they need to know to solve the problem.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Authors: From the On The Cutting Edge activity collection, Plymouth State University, Warren C. Tomkiewicz

How Permanent is Permafrost?

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In this activity, students use Google Earth and team up with fictional students in Chersky, Russia to investigate possible causes of thawing permafrost in Siberia and other Arctic regions. Students explore the nature of permafrost and what the effects of thawing permafrost mean both locally and globally. Next, students use a spreadsheet to explore soil temperature data from permafrost boreholes and surface air temperature datasets from in and around the Chersky region for a 50-year time span.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Authors: Earth Exploration Toolbook/TERC, et. al., Marian Grogan

How does Temperature Affect the Solubility of CO2 in Water?

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This short investigation from Carbo Europe explores how temperature affects the solubility of carbon dioxide in water.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Simulation

Authors: Carbon science researchers and secondary school teachers invite young people to learn about local and global impacts of climate change, explore scientific research on the topic and act locally to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases., CarboSchools

Impacts of Change in Glacier Ice

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This is a five-activity module that explores the evidence for and impacts of melting glacial ice, with resources from major institutions and scientists who study glaciers -- primarily in Arctic areas. The suite of activities includes both glaciers and melting ice, as well as the impact of melt water downstream. Each activity follows the 5E model of Engagement, Exploration, Explanation, Elaboration, and Evaluation.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Full Course

Author: Alaska Sea Grant

Inuit Observations of Climate Change

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This video features changes in the land, sea, and animals that are being observed by the residents of Sachs Harbour, Northwest Territories, Canada â many of whom hunt, trap, and fishâbecause of their long-standing and intimate connection with their ecosystem. Scientists interview the residents and record their observations in order to deepen our understanding of climate change in the polar region. Background essay and discussion questions are included.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Author: WGBH/Boston

Investigating Climate Change Using Observed Temperature Data

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In this activity, students download historic temperature datasets and then graph and compare with different locations. As an extension, students can download and examine data sets for other sites to compare the variability of changes at different distinct locations, and it is at this stage where learning can be individualized and very meaningful.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Authors: Carla McAuliffe, Earth Exploration Toolbook, TERC

Khaki Goes Green - Earth: The Operators' Manual

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This video segment highlights how the U.S. military is the single largest user of energy in the nation, but it is also trying to reduce its carbon bootprint. Scenes taped at Fort Irwin and Camp Pendleton show the Army and Marines experimenting with wind and solar in order to reduce the number of fuel convoys that are vulnerable to attack.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Authors: Earth: The Operators' Manual, Geoff Haines-Stiles Productions

Last Glacial Maximum

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In this activity for undergraduates, students explore the CLIMAP (Climate: Long-Range Investigation, Mapping and Prediction) model results for differences between the modern and the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and discover the how climate and vegetation may have changed in different regions of the Earth based on scientific data.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Authors: Kristine DeLong, Louisiana State University, SERC On The Cutting Edge Collection

The Lifestyle Project

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This multi-week project begins with a measurement of baseline consumptive behavior followed by three weeks of working to reduce the use of water, energy, high-impact foods, and other materials. The assignment uses an Excel spreadsheet that calculates direct energy and water use as well as indirect CO2 and water use associated with food consumption. After completing the project, students understand that they do indeed play a role in the big picture. They also learn that making small changes to their lifestyles is not difficult and they can easily reduce their personal impact on the environment.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Authors: John J. Thomas, Karin Kirk, SERC - Starting Point Collection

The Little Ice Age: Understanding Climate and Climate Change

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This is a classroom activity about the forcing mechanisms for the most recent cold period: the Little Ice Age (1350-1850). Students receive data about tree ring records, solar activity, and volcanic eruptions during this time period. By comparing and contrasting time intervals when tree growth was at a minimum, solar activity was low, and major volcanic eruptions occurred, they draw conclusions about possible natural causes of climate change and identify factors that may indicate climate change.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Authors: Lisa Gardiner, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR)

Mass Balance Model

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In this JAVA-based interactive modeling activity, students are introduced to the concepts of mass balance, flow rates, and equilibrium using a simple water bucket model. Students can vary flow rate into the bucket, initial water level in the bucket, and residence time of water in the bucket. After running the model, the bucket's water level as a function of time is presented graphically and in tabular form.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Authors: Robert MacKay, Science Education Resource Center, Starting Point Collection

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