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This learning activity is part of an overall series entitled "The Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change". This series of three activities demonstrates some effects of rising levels of greenhouse gases on climate. The first activity, "How Does the Make-up of the Atmosphere Affect Temperature?", asks students to construct a model to address the matter of increasing levels of greenhouse gases and their relationship to increasing atmospheric temperatures. The second activity, "How Do Higher Temperatures Affect the Water Cycle?", will demonstrate how an increase in temperature will speed up the water cycle, resulting in higher rainfall amounts followed by increased evaporation and subsequent drought. The final activity, "What Will Happen if Climate Variability and Change Cause Glacier and Polar Ice Cap Melting?", will show how the melting of ice can lead to a rise in sea level and subsequent flooding of coastal areas. The curriculum packet also includes background information, student activity lab sheets, an assessment rubric, answer key, and more. Grade level: 1-4. LINK >> |
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This lesson plan investigation allows students to see how geography and a spatial perspective are useful in addressing global challenges. Data gathering and organization skills are emphasized as students create maps of global aerosol hazards. In small groups, students collect either long-term or short-term data showing the distribution of global aerosols and convert the data into a map. Groups then compare their maps to identify patterns and sources of aerosols around the world. The investigation offers options for students with and without direct access to the web. Time required: Three 45-minute sessions. [Source: NASA Mission Geography] Grade level: 5-8. LINK >>
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This scientific report addresses questions on climate change and public health. Can we use climate and weather forecasts to predict infectious disease outbreaks? Can the field of public health advance from "surveillance and response" to "prediction and prevention?" Can we predict how global warming will affect the emergence and transmission of infectious disease agents around the world? Under the Weather evaluates our current understanding of the linkages among climate, ecosystems, and infectious disease; it then goes a step further and outlines the research needed to improve our understanding of these linkages. "...written in an accessible style in order to appeal to a wide-ranging audience." -- Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, August 2002. Hardcover or pdf available at URL (National Academies Press) Grade level: 11-College. LINK >>
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Geodesy is the science of measuring and monitoring the size and shape of the Earth and the location of points on its surface. Geodetic data are used for navigation, communication systems, and mapping and charting earth's surface. "What is Geodesy?" is a tutorial overview of the history, essential elements, and modern methods of geodesy. It is made up of 10 chapters or pages (plus a reference page) that can be read in sequence by clicking on the arrows at the top or bottom of each chapter page. The tutorial includes many illustrative and interactive graphics which enhance the text. Grade level: 9-College. LINK >>
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This excellent tutorial addresses questions about ocean acidification, and the ocean's carbonate chemistry. What is ocean acidification? What is causing it? How is atmospheric CO2 responsible for ocean acidification? How acidic are the oceans? What can we expect in the future? This tutorial also lists references used in this tutorial if you want to learn about any topics in more depth. [Source: Ocean Acidification Network, http://www.ocean-acidification.net/] LINK >>
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