The Science of Global Warming
Topics: Greenhouse Gases, World Population
Source: Discovery Channel School
Web Address: http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/activities/earthandbeyond/act1.html
Grade Levels: 6-8
Learning Strategies: Brief introduction reading comprehension, mapping, data analysis, and discussion
Frameworks Connections:
Science and Technology/Engineering
- Life Sciences, Grades 6-8
Living Things in their Environment
Changes in Ecosystems Over TimeHistory and Social Sciences, 6-8
- History and Geography
- Economics
Mathematics, Grades 5-8
- Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability
Cost: Free
Description: In this activity, students are introduced to the statistics involved in greenhouse gases and human actions that are increasing the gases in the atmosphere. Students map out the statistics they are given on a globe to show a correlation of amounts of greenhouse gases with population in various areas of the world. When students have completed their maps, they can make a comparison and draw conclusions about the relations between world population and the greenhouse gas emission.
As a follow-up, questions are provided to determine what the students have concluded from their maps. A beneficial additio, not included in this activity, would be a lesson on the background of greenhouse gases and the greenhouse effect as preparation for the mapping projects.
A teacher review notes: "The map comparison is a little unclear with respect to "the rest of the world," which has the biggest total population and greenhouse gas emissions. Would be better just to leave that blank. The warmest years all being in the 1980's to 1991 dates this activity and might lead some students to conclude that there's been cooling since then."