1998 WWLPT Environmental Institute: Temperature

 

BY:  GINGER NEACE  "We cannot ignore the fact that global temperature is rising.  Yet, we chose to ignore the fact that we can do something about it."

 

•  Lesson/class activity-In order to increase student awareness of global warming and how this increase in global temperatures can be devastating, students must understand how the change in temperatures can cause natural disasters.

• Students should be able to apply the effects of rising global temperatures to their own lives and understand what changes they can make in their daily lives to make a difference.
• Students should be able to see how rising temperatures directly relate to the carbon dioxide-oxygen cycle and all life cycles.

• Environment students
• 4th-9th Grade

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• SUGGESTED STUDENT BACKGROUND
• Students must have background knowledge to complete the activity and have some experience with inquiry based learning.
• TEACHER PREPARATION
• Teacher preparation consists of introducing the background information, dividing students into cooperative learning groups, and having the needed materials on hand.
• SUGGESTED CLASS TIME
• 2-50 minute class periods

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Global warming is the increase of the Earth's temperature.  To sustain a constant temperature the Earth must radiate energy into space at the same rate that it absorbs energy from the sun.
Over the past 100 years global temperatures have increased by one degree Fahrenheit.  Warmer temperatures can lead to more intense rainfall in some areas and frequent drought like conditions in others.  These factors are causing dangerous blizzards, heavy rainfall which leads to flooding, and an increase in wildfires because of severe drought in all areas of the world.
The ultimate effect that the increase in temperatures cause is that weather and climate are changing at a more dramatic rate than ever and the results are devastating.
If weather and climate are in a state of constant change then all of the Earth's cycles will be disturbed and perhaps destroyed.

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