Description:
Natural factors such as the Milankovitch cylces, sunspots and El Nino affect our climate. This lesson examines the science of these natural factors.
Standards Alignment:
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21st Century Skills: (learn more)
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Time Required:
one 75 minute class period
Process:
1. Use powerpoint to direct learning, with complementary student virtual activity.
Student Prompt:
1. You will be using an online activity called Carbon Connections. The segment you will be using includes human factors that affect Climate Change. In this activity, you will just be examining the roles of natural factors (human ones are coming up later) including a couple not identified in the virtual activity.
2. In addition to manipulating the simulation, you are expected to answer the questions that follow it – in your notebook or blog.
Teacher Notes:
1. A useful teacher tutorial for this lesson can be found at: http://www.sciencecourseware.org/eec/GlobalWarming/Tutorials/Milankovitch/
2. The Carbon Connections simulation activity (embedded in the lesson powerpoint) is part of the BSCS Climate Connections program. This program examines these factors in the context of models. The simulation and this lesson demonstrate that while natural variables do cause patterns of change or variation in the Earth’s climate they do not cause a net or overall change in the climate.
3. For the Carbon Connections simulation activity, students work online so you will need to conduct this activity in a computer lab or ensure they have access to computers (laptops, etc.)
4. The interactive links for the Milankovitch cycles and Solar Cycles are embedded in the Powerpoint presentation
5. Supplemental activities to this Lesson can be found in the COOL 2.0 resource database and include:
• El Niño and La Niña Web Based Activities (Source: Oja, E.J. 2001. Project Atmosphere Canada El Niño: The Atmosphere-Ocean Connection Teacher’s Guide. Environment Canada)
• My El Niño Activity, from IGLO (International Action on Global Warming)
• Sunspots and Climate Activity, from Climate Teacher’s Discovery Guide
Attachments:
• Natural Factors Affecting Earth’s Climate (Powerpoint)
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