Climate Change: Earth’s Changing Atmosphere
In the first part of this activity, students analyze and interpret data related to changes in Earth’s atmosphere over time. Students chronologically arrange cards describing the relative amounts of carbon dioxide and oxygen gases in the atmosphere at different times in Earth’s history and the role of living organisms in determining the composition of the atmosphere. They see that Earth’s atmosphere has changed dramatically over geologic time and learn how human activity is causing small but significant changes to the modern atmosphere. In the second part of the activity, students use a computer interactive (or cards) to analyze data from the past 100 years to investigate the causes of current global warming. They ask data-driven questions to figure out what the evidence does and does not indicate and to examine the influence of both natural and human-related factors.
Details at a Glance
- 2-3 Days | 2-3 ~50 minute class periods
- 2 Activities
- Accommodates unlimited classes, each with 8 groups of 4 students
- Meets our criteria for supporting literacy
- All materials are non-consumable
- Developed in partnership with SEPUP
Scientific Concepts
Performance Expectation
•MS-ESS3-5
Disciplinary Core Ideas
•MS-ESS3.D Global Climate Change
Science and Engineering Practices
•Asking Questions and Defining Problems
•Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
•Analyzing and Interpreting Data
•Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking
•Engaging in Argument from Evidence
•Connections to Nature of Science
Crosscutting Concepts
•Scale, Proportion, and Quantity
•Stability and Change
•Cause and Effect
•Patterns
•Systems and System Models
•Connections to Nature of Science
KEY VOCABULARY: atmospheric scientist, causal relationship, climate change, climatologist, correlation, greenhouse effect, global warming, trade-off
Guides & Student Sheets
Our kits and modules provide you with everything you need so you can open, review, and teach the material confidently the next day.
- Full downloadable Teacher Guide with background information, detailed instruction, example data and answers
- Downloadable Student Sheets with age appropriate background information, full procedure(s), and analysis questions
- All materials necessary to carry out the investigation
- Safety Data Sheets
Kit Components
- 16 Sets of Atmosphere Cards
- 8 Sets of Global Warming Cards
- 32 Student Worksheet and Guides
- 1 Teacher’s Guide