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Page 5
Modeling Climate Change (student handout)
Name: Class: Date:
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.
Materials:
• Small bucket
• Timer
• Computer with internet access
• Ice
• Thermometer
• Beaker
Step-by-Step Procedure:
1. Fill bucket half full with ice.
2. Measure air temperature in classroom using thermometer and record in data table.
3. Leave bucket in classroom for 30 minutes.
4. Drain any water that has melted into a beaker.
5. Record the amount of melted water in the data table.
6. Discard used ice.
7. Refill bucket half full with ice.
8. Measure air temperature in shade outside using thermometer and record in data table.
9. Leave bucket in shade outside for 30 minutes.
10. Drain any water that has melted into a beaker.
11. Record the amount of melted water in the data table.
12. Discard used ice.
13. Refill bucket half full with ice.
14. Measure air temperature in partial sun outside using thermometer and record in data table.
15. Leave bucket in partial sun outside for 30 minutes.
16. Drain any water that has melted into a beaker.
17. Record the amount of melted water in the data table.
18. Discard used ice.
19. Determine the amount of change in water drained from the classroom, shade and partial shade.
20. Record the air temperature in full sun.
21. Based on the pattern in amount of water drained from the three data points and the air temperature in full sun create a
model of what would happen if the bucket were placed in full sun outside for 30 minutes.
* this can be presented as a mathematical formula, diagram or paragraph
