For Teachers

This WebQuest is designed to help students learn and apply some basic concepts in climate and environmental science using professional-quality data.  The project involves research and reporting, web searching and data gathering, mathematical calculation, and interpretive reasoning.  The project is designed as a group activity.  The suggested evaluation rubric includes components for a student's individual contribution, as well as for the group effort.

Students will learn about different methods of measuring atmospheric temperatures, and how these temperatures may be used to investigate Arctic climate change.   The project involves research and reporting, web searching and data gathering, and interpretive reasoning.  The project is designed as a group activity.  The suggested evaluation rubric includes components for a student's individual contribution, as well as for the group effort.

Grade level:

This WebQuest is appropriate for grades 8-12.  Teachers may wish to modify some of the tasks as appropriate for their classroom needs.  

Objectives:

At the end of this activity, students will have accomplished the following:

gathered data using the web

learned how above-ground temperatures are measured

learned how to analyze atmospheric temperature time series charts and data files

prepared individual and group reports using data gathered from the web

referenced information sources

collaboratively analyzed an environmental problem (the determination of Arctic temperature trends)

learned to make interpretations of scientific data

Requirements:

An Internet-connected computer.  

Time:

This project requires two weeks (approximately 50 minute periods each day).

Week 1: gather background information on global warming, the greenhouse effect and atmospheric temperature measurements; begin to analyze temperature time series charts and data files

Week 2: finish analyzing temperature time series charts and data files; prepare reports

The following flowchart presents a suggested pathway for completing the project.  The relevant webquest page is shown in brackets.

Other Ideas:

If you wish to print any of the webquest pages, it may work better if you set your printer to print in landscape mode.

It might be interesting to discuss the difference in global temperature trends determined by satellite vs. those determined by surface-based instruments.  Some interesting web sites that address these differences may be accessed here and here.

The analysis of temperature time series could lead into a discussion of the statistical significance of trends.  

Standards

This WebQuest specifically addresses the following National Science Education Standards, but may also touch on other standards not listed:

[THE STANDARDS LISTED BELOW ARE NOT CORRECT - I HAVE TO UPDATE THEM.  -JK]

Science as Inquiry - Content Standard A

Use appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze and interpret data.

Think critically and logically to make the relationships between evidence and explanations.

Recognize and analyze alternative explanations and predictions.

Use mathematics in all aspects of scientific inquiry

Understandings about scientific inquiry

Physical Science - Content Standard B

Properties and changes of properties in matter

Transfer of energy

Earth and Space Science - Content Standard D

Structure of the earth system:

atmosphere

clouds

global patterns of atmospheric movement

Science and Technology - Content Standard E

Developing student abilities and understandings

straightforward activity with only a few well-defined ways to solve the problems involved

only one or two science ideas involved in the task

Implement a proposed design

Understandings about science and technology

History and Nature of Science - Content Standard G

Science as a human endeavor

Nature of science

Connect with Other School Subjects - Program Standard B

Emphasize student understanding through inquiry

Connection with other school subjects

Coordination of Science and Mathematics - Program Standard C

Develop and use tables, graphs and rules to describe situations

Use statistical methods to describe, analyze, evaluate and make decisions

Access to Appropriate and Sufficient Resources - Program Standard D

Access to the world beyond the classroom:

use of professional-quality meteorological data

multimedia information on ancient Mesoamerican civilizations

Source: National Science Education Standards, 1996, National Academy Press, Washington, DC, 262 pp., www.nas.edu.