Lesson 2.1
How is air temperature changing in different places, and what could be causing those changes?
Lesson Type:
Investigate
Time:
75 min
The main role of this lesson is to (1) make sense of year-to-year fluctuations and long-term changes in temperature data and (2) brainstorm causes for rising temperatures that focus us on human activities.
What We Do:
Analyze temperature data using the Temperature Data Explorer interactive.
Discuss year-to-year fluctuations and long-term average changes.
Brainstorm causes of temperature increase.
Update the class model.
Add new questions to the DQB.
What We Figure Out:
Year-to-year fluctuations in temperature are less predictable than long-term average change.
Long-term average data show temperature is increasing in all locations by a few degrees.
Rising temperature may be related to pollution, carbon dioxide, and/or greenhouse gases going into the air from burning fuels (e.g., cars, factories).
Lesson in Action
One teacher, Tiffany, helps students transition into the base unit after the class has investigated a local climate phenomenon. The key transition move is to help students puzzle about the underlying cause of rising temperatures.
