Global%20Warming%20Mini-Unit

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Global Warming Mini-Unit

• By Kristen Cacciatore
• ESCI (ECOS 597)
• November 15, 2003

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Goals

• Introduce global warming and climate change
• Improve graphing, computer, and statistical
  analysis skills
• Reinforce the distinction between data and
  resulting inferences and predictions
• Develop context for our studies in the field at
  Mother Brook

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Overview

• DAY 1 Introduction of global warming via
  interactive animation on EPAs Global Warming for
  Kids website
• DAY 2 Statistical analysis of BHO weather data
  and discussion
• DAY 3 Graphing of atmospheric CO2 levels
• DAY 4 Presentation of graphs and summary
  discussion

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Todays Presentation

• Viewing of the EPA Website animation at
• http//www.epa.gov/globalwarming/kids/animations.h
  tml
• Discussion of BHO temperature data from 1891-1910
  and 1981-2001
• Presentation of atmospheric CO2 data
• Feedback and questions from you

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BHO temperature data

• Students will
• Each analyze the mean, median, and range for one
  months mean temperature for either 1891-1910 or
  1981-2001.
• Then compare their results with the same month
  for the other time period
• Answer questions and draw inferences from the
  comparison
• The mean change for all months is 2.1 F

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Atmospheric CO2 data graphing

• Students will
• Graph CO2 data from 1870 to 2000 by hand
• Extrapolate future CO2 levels from their graph
• Input and graph data on Excel
• Present graphs and predictions to the class

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(No Transcript)
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Assessment

• Online quiz at EPA site
• Accuracy of data analysis
• Homework questions on BHO data analysis and
  conclusions
• Graph presentation assessed by rubric

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Bibliography

• American Chemical Society. Chemistry in the
  Community. Dubuque, Iowa Kendall Hunt, 1988.
• Blue Hill Weather Observatory. Mean temperature
  data 1891-1910 and 1981-2001. Obtained November
  14, 2003 via email transmission of .txt file.
• Global Warming Processes. Online animation.
  EPA Global Warming For Kids Website. November 3,
  2003. http//www.epa.gov/globalwarming/kids/anima
  tions.html
• Massachusetts Department of Education. Science
  Technology Curriculum Frameworks. Malden, MA,
  2003