Here is a step-by-step guide to using this lesson plan in the classroom/laboratory. We have suggested these steps as a possible plan of action. You may customize the lesson plan according to your preferences and requirements.

1. Topic introduction and discussion

Teaching Module (25 min)

• Use the teaching module, ‘Introduction-Linear Regression and Correlation’ by OpenStax^TM, Rice University (for High School level) or ‘Chapter-3: Linear Regression’ provided by Ramesh Sridharan, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (for Undergraduate level), to introduce these topics of basic statistics.

For High School

For Undergraduate

• Navigate to the sub-sections within the module to the basics of scatter plots, correlation coefficients, regression equations, and linear regression.
• Use the in-built practice exercises and quizzes to evaluate your students’ understanding of the topics.

2. Develop the topic further

Video micro-lecture (14 min)

Use the video micro-lecture, ‘Introduction to Simple Linear Regression’ by dataminingincae, INCAE Business School for a basic introduction to Simple Linear Regression and terms like dependant variable, independent variable, regression line, regression coefficients.

3. Extend understanding by practicing Hands-on Python code

1. Use the provided Dataset about Yearly Global Average CO2 Concentrations, file global-atm-co2.csv) and Python Notebook global-co2-concentration.ipynb.
2. The dataset includes monthly mean carbon dioxide globally averaged over marine surface sites for the span 1980-2020. Data Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
3. Use the Python Notebook and Dataset to:

• Read the Dataset using DataFrame Know the basics of the dataset like its dimensions, data types and memory usage
• Plot the scatter plot of yearly average_co2_concentrations variable Use NumPy library to convert the DataFrame to NumPy Array which would be used in the further steps.
• Find the Regression Coefficients  for Simple Linear Regression Plot the scatter plot and Regression Line as per the predicted coefficients Calculate RMSE (Root Mean-Squared Error-values)
• Discuss how well the Regression Line describes the data points.

4. Encourage your students to answer topical questions by applying their understanding of scatter plots, correlation coefficients, regression equations and linear regression.
5. Use the regression analyses performed to initiate a discussion on the increase in global average CO2 concentrations from 1980 to 2020 due to anthropogenic activities causing CO2 emissions.

Download SLR Derivation

Use this lesson plan to help your students find answers to:

1. Use an example to describe linear regression analysis. and polynomial regression.
2. Use linear regression analyses to describe how global average CO2 concentrations have changed from 1980-2020 (last datapoint).
3. Discuss reasons for changes in global average CO2 concentrations and their impact on Earth’s climate.