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B.
Day: 2
Grade Level: 8
Time Required: 90 minutes
Essential Question: Can we use models to simulate the interactions of systems on our
planet?
National Science Standards Addressed:
M.U.2 Evidence, models, and explanation
a.
Evidence–Evidence
consists of observations and data on which to base scientific explanations.
The goal is to help students use evidence to understand interactions and predict changes.
b. Models–Models
are tentative schemes or structures that correspond to real objects, events,
or classes of events, and that have explanatory power. The goal is to help students learn how to
make and use many models, including physical objects, plans, mental constructs, mathematical
equations, and computer simulations.
c. Explanations–Explanations provide interpretation, meaning, or sense to objects, organisms, or
events. Explanations incorporate existing scientific knowledge and new evidence from
observations, experiments, or models into internally consistent, logical statements, such as
hypotheses, laws, principles, and theories. The goal is to help students create explanations which
incorporate a scientific knowledge base, logic, and higher levels of analysis
Teacher Notes: Climate models enable scientists to make reasonable predictions about
the interactions of the systems on our planet. They condense large volumes of
interconnected data and attempt to mitigate discrepancies that could occur due to those
interactions. Current climate models primarily focus on surface and ocean temperatures
and carbon dioxide emissions. Making predictions should allow us to prepare for future
climate change and examine where our attention should be focused in order to maximize
the effectiveness of any efforts we make to ameliorate the problem. This activity will
allow students to create their own small scale climate model and test their predictions
against what actually occurs when they conduct their experiment.
Objective:
Students will use their knowledge of climate modeling to predict the outcome of their
investigation into air temperature and rate of ice melting as it responds to placement in
various manipulated climates.
Introduction:
Students will view the Teachers Domain video clip: Climate Models found at
http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/ttv10.sci.ess.climatemodels/
The following essential questions will be addressed during classroom discussion
following the video:
1. What is a climate model and what is its purpose?
2. What can climate models tell us?
