Global Climate Change: Evidence and Causes
Author(s)
Department of Geology and Astronomy
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
tlutz@wcupa.edu
Department of Biology
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
wfairchild@wcupa.edu
Abstract
This “clicker case” begins by assessing students’ impressions of global climate change and the role that human activities play in recent global warming trends. Students assume the role of an intern working for a U.S. senator. They need to understand the scientific evidence for human impact on climate change so that they can advise the senator on future policy decisions. The case was designed for use in a one-semester introductory biology course taken primarily by freshmen and sophomores to fulfill a general education requirement, but could be used in any introductory biology course or in an ecology or environmental science course. It consists of a PowerPoint presentation (~1.6MB) presented in class that is punctuated by multiple-choice questions students respond to using personal response systems (“clickers”). The case can be adapted for use without these technologies.
Objectives
- Learn about global climate change and its possible causes.
- Understand how scientists study climate.
- Learn about the relationship between temperature and greenhouse gases (GHG).
- Learn how climate change data is reported.
- Analyze and interpret graphs and data.
- Understand how human activities impact climate change.
- Learn how models are used to predict future changes in global temperature.
Keywords
Global climate change; greenhouse gases; greenhouse effect; rising temperatures; carbon emissions; carbon sequestrationTopical Areas
N/AEducational Level
High school, Undergraduate lower divisionFormat
PDF, PowerPointType / Methods
Clicker, InterruptedLanguage
EnglishSubject Headings
Biology (General) | Geology | Environmental Science | Earth Science | Ecology | Atmospheric Science | Climatology / Meteorology |
Date Posted
01/28/10Teaching Notes
Case teaching notes are password-protected and access to them is limited to paid subscribed instructors. To become a paid subscriber, begin the process by registering.
Teaching notes are intended to help teachers select and adopt a case. They typically include a summary of the case, teaching objectives, information about the intended audience, details about how the case may be taught, and a list of references and resources.
Answer Key
Answer keys for the cases in our collection are password-protected and access to them is limited to paid subscribed instructors. To become a paid subscriber, begin the process by registering.