The Science of Global Warming
Topics: Climate Change, Greenhouse Gasses, Human Environmental Effects, Does Action Need to be Taken on Global Warming?
Source: Discovery Channel School
Web Address: http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/activities/earthandbeyond/act1.html
Grade Levels: 9-12
Learning Strategies: Brief introductory reading comprehension, debate, research to support debate team
Frameworks Connections:
Science and Technology/Engineering
- Earth and Space Science, Grade 9 or 10
- Biology, Grades 9-10
1. Matter and Energy in the Earth System
2. Earth Processes and Cycles
6. Ecology
Mathematics, Grades 9-12
- Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability
History and Social Sciences, 8-12
- History and Geography
Cost: Free
Description: In this activity, students are divided into two groups to debate current global warming research. One group believes that global warming requires immediate action, while the opposing side argues that facts surrounding global warming have no grounds in its argument. Websites with background information on global warming are provided for each team to support their arguments in the debate. Although no follow-up activities are included, the open-ended debate offers the potential to discuss the ideas that arise within the debate and further along in the curriculum.
A teacher review notes that "Like the MS lesson also from this site, a reference is made to a date (1998) of the warmest year. It is unfortunate that these sites do not indicate the time period the data covers. This might be a good starting point for students; they could investigate what has happened since this was written.”