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Designing a climate change elective course for middle school RETI 2011

Designing a climate change elective course for middle school RETI 2011. Carol Schwendener carol@alum.calberkeley.org Horizons K-8 (middle school science). Goals. Create a four week elective course for Making a Difference Arts and Science program

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Designing a climate change elective course for middle school RETI 2011

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  1. Designing a climate change elective course for middle schoolRETI 2011 Carol Schwendener carol@alum.calberkeley.org Horizons K-8 (middle school science)

  2. Goals • Create a four week elective course for Making a Difference Arts and Science program • Cover sufficient background content and allow time for an in depth study of impacts and mitigation actions • Use a variety of instructional formats • Keep student engagement high • Incorporate writing activities

  3. challenges • How to provide students with accurate scientific information without oversimplifying? • How to cover sufficient background in the time frame? • How to keep engagement high in a class without grades? • Finding an authentic audience for their final writing products • How to maximize use of the amazing resources available to me?

  4. OutcomesModule overview • Pre-assessment of climate change perspectives and background knowledge • Greenhouse Effect and Carbon Cycle • Data analysis of climate changes • Paleoclimate Proxies – How do we know about the past? • HIPPO and current data collection • Modelling Climate – How do we know about the future? • Global impacts of climate change • Climate Changes in Colorado • Future climate change projections and impacts in Colorado • Taking Action • Overview of actions • What can you do? • Communicating Climate Change

  5. Climate Change: Is it real?Countering the Skeptics’ Statements: You be the climate scientist.

  6. “CO2 is not increasing”

  7. Changes in Global CO2 Concentrations Source: NASA Skeptic Statement: CO2 is not increasing

  8. Different scenarios for the future Skeptic Statement: CO2 is not increasing

  9. Direct atmospheric measurements of CO2 since 1958 1958 = 315 ppm CO2 (ppm) 2008 = 385 ppm Year Annual cycle of ~ 5 ppmdue to seasonal uptake of CO2 by (overwhelmingly northern hemisphere) vegetation Skeptic Statement: CO2 is not increasing

  10. Are scientists making stuff up? How do we know about the climate 150,000 years ago? Are they using time machines?

  11. How do scientists predict future climate?

  12. Value of experience • Building my background knowledge • Exposure and access to resources (current and local data, local scientists and labs, extensive online resources) • Time to carefully evaluate resources • Opportunity to share ideas with other teachers, scientists, and UCAR staff

  13. Additional applications • Career connections • Resources for earth science • Resources for physical science

  14. Thank you for an inspiring learning experience.

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