Climate Change Education Across the Curricula, Across the Globe

Climate Change Education Across the Curricula

Tag: All Teaching Tools

Video Lecture: An Introduction to Atmospheric Thermodynamics

Posted by on in Earth Sciences, Physics

A video lecture titled, ‘Atmospheric Thermodynamics – Introduction’ from the e-learning course, ‘Introduction to Atmospheric Science’ developed by C Balaji, IIT Madras, for National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL), India. This video lecture discusses the laws of thermodynamics, the gas laws, Boyle’s Law, Hooke’s law, and Dalton’s Law.

Students will learn about the basics of thermodynamics and its importance in atmospheric physics. They will learn about the role of pressure, partial pressure, temperature, and molecular behaviour in thermodynamic calculations. Additionally, students will also learn about the role of thermodynamic laws and calculations in various fields of studies.

A transcript of the lecture is also provided.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to:

  1. What are the laws of thermodynamics?
  2. How do changes in temperature and pressure impact thermodynamic calculations?
  3. How are thermodynamic calculations used to predict climate and weather patterns?

About the tool

Tool NameLecture-10: Atmospheric Thermodynamics- Introduction
DisciplinePhysics, Earth Sciences
Topic(s) in DisciplineThermodynamics, Atmospheric Thermodynamics, Atmospheric Sciences, First law of Thermodynamics, Second Law of Thermodynamics, Earth system, Boyle’s Law, Hooke’s law, Dalton’s Law
Climate TopicClimate and the Atmosphere
Type of toolVideo Lecture (51 mins)
Grade LevelUndergraduate, Graduate
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish
Translation
Developed byC Balaji, IIT Madras
Hosted atNPTEL (https://nptel.ac.in/courses/119/106/119106008/)
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: Climate Change in the Life Sciences Classroom

Posted by on in Biological Sciences

An article by Amy J. Hawkins and Louisa A. Stark titled ‘Bringing Climate Change into the Life Science Classroom: Essentials, Impacts on Life, and Addressing Misconceptions’ in the American Society for Cell Biology journal Life Sciences Education. This reading discusses how climate change can be taught in the Life Sciences classroom. It provides an overview of educational resources that teachers in the Biological Sciences and Life Sciences could use to teach topics in their discipline that are linked to climate change. 

Students will understand the link between climate change and the Life Sciences. They will also learn about impacts of climate change on the biosphere and its role in the Earth’s climate system.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. How can climate change be taught in the Life Sciences?
  2. What are the impacts of climate change on the biosphere?

About the Tool 

Tool NameBringing Climate Change into the Life Science Classroom: Essentials, Impacts on Life, and Addressing Misconceptions
DisciplineBiological Sciences
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Change Overview
Climate Topic Climate Literacy; Climate and the Biosphere
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelHigh School, Undergraduate
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byAmy J. Hawkins & Louisa A. Stark
Hosted atCBE Life Sciences Education
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: What is the Lithosphere?

Posted by on in Earth Sciences, Geography

A short reading by the Aspen Global Change Institute that summarizes what the lithosphere or geosphere is. This resource can be used as an introduction to the topic by teachers interested in teaching about climate change and the role of the geosphere.

This reading includes overview discussions on the following topics:

  1. What is the Geosphere?
  2. How does the geosphere interact in the earth system?
  3. How do humans interact with the geosphere?

The reading also includes a short journal activity. 

Students will understand what the geosphere is. They will also understand about climate change and the role of the lithosphere or geosphere.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to:

  1. What is the lithosphere or geosphere?
  2. Discuss climate change and the role of the lithosphere.

About the Tool 

Tool NameThe Geosphere
DisciplineEarth Sciences, Geography
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Change Overview
Climate Topic Climate Literacy; Introduction to Climate Change
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelMiddle School; High School
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byAspen Global Change Institute
Hosted atAspen Global Change Institute website
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: Postcolonial Studies and Climate Change

Posted by on in Humanities

A reading by Dipesh Chakrabarty, The University of Chicago titled ‘Postcolonial Studies and the Challenge of Climate Change’ that discusses the link between globalization and global warming. Chakrabarty discusses this link through the writings of Homi K. Bhabha, that aims to stretch post colonial thinking to include the reality of climate change and global warming. The reading also discusses the challenges that climate change issues pose in a “neoliberal” capitalist world. Chakrabarty highlights the three images of human that currently exist:

  1. The universalist-Enlightenment view of the human with the ability to exercise rights 
  2. The globalized view of the human
  3. The human as a geological force that changes the climate 

Chakrabarty makes this distinction to understand the current debate between society, globalization and climate change. Through the writings of Homi K. Bhabha, the reading discusses ‘the postcolonial criticism of the human’ and ‘the human in the anthropocene’ that focuses on issues such as anthropogenic global warming, degradation of the natural environment and the development of humanity. 

Students will learn about postcolonial globalization and climate change. They will also learn about the criticism that postcolonial thinkers have about the current age of the anthropocene and the increasing changes in the climate. Students will further learn about the attempts that postcolonial thinkers have made to ensure that climate change and global warming are part of the human reality for future preservation of the environment. Additionally, students will learn about the failed recognition that society gives to the interdependence of humans on nature and its natural beings.   

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. What is the link between globalization and climate change?
  2. How do postcolonial thinkers criticise the age of the anthropocene?
  3. Discuss the three images that postcolonial thinkers have created for the human 
  4. How can postcolonial studies about the anthropocene inform the future?

About the Tool 

Tool NamePostcolonial Studies and the Challenge of Climate Change 
DisciplineHumanities
Topic(s) in DisciplinePostcolonial Studies, Cultural Studies, Neoliberalism, Anthropocene, Globalization, Capitalism
Climate Topic Climate and the Anthroposphere; Climate and Society
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelUndergraduate, Graduate 
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byDipesh Chakrabarty New Literary History (Vol 43, 1)
Hosted atThe Johns Hopkins University Press
LinkLink
AccessOnline/Offline
Computer SkillsBasic

Video/ Microlecture: Quantum Physics

Posted by on in Earth Sciences, Physics

A microlecture that describes the photoelectric effect and how it works with respect to greenhouse gases. This video by Shohini Ghose for TEDxVictoria describes how light and matter possess energy and how the transfer of this energy occurs between different bodies.

Students will learn briefly about the discovery of the photoelectric effect and its relevance to quantum physics. They will further be introduced to various technologies, such as solar cells, which utilize this phenomenon and how they may help combat global warming. 

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. Describe the photoelectric effect.
  2. Describe the greenhouse effect. 
  3. Discuss the various technologies discussed in the video that utilize the photoelectric effect that may help combat global warming.

About the tool

Tool NameHow Quantum Physics Can Help Us Fight Climate Change
DisciplinePhysics, Earth Sciences
Topic(s) in DisciplineQuantum Physics, Photoelectric Effect, Photons, Wavelengths of Light, Visible Light, Infrared Radiation, Greenhouse Effect, Solar Cells, Quantum Entanglement
Climate Topic Climate and the Atmosphere; Energy, Economics and Climate Change; Climate Mitigation and Adaptation
Type of tool Video/ Microlecture (15 mins)
Grade LevelHigh School
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byShohini Ghose
Hosted atTEDxVictoria
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: A Climate Fiction (Cli-Fi) Syllabus

Posted by on in Humanities

An article published by Yale Climate Connections on resources for teaching climate fiction. The article features Elizabeth Rush, a climate fiction educator at Brown University, who discusses the ways in which climate fiction can create a relationship between humans, their environment and technology. The article provides educators a list of climate fiction novels and short stories. Cli-Fi resources reviewed in the article include ‘The Tamarisk Hunter’ by Paolo Bacigalupi, ‘Gold, Fame, Citrus’ by Claire Vaye Watkins, ‘Monstro’ by Junot Díaz, ‘New York 2140’ by Kim Stanley Robinson, and ‘10:04’ by Ben Lerner.

Through the Cli-Fi books listed, students will learn about climate change and the importance of Cli-Fi. 

Use this tool and the resources listed therein to help your students find answers to: 

  1. How does climate fiction link society, climate change and technology?
  2. How can cli-fi provide solutions to mitigate climate change?

About the Tool 

Tool NameWhat’s on your climate fiction syllabus?
DisciplineHumanities
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Fiction, Cli-Fi, Literature 
Climate Topic Climate and Society
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelHigh School, Undergraduate 
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byYale Climate Connections with Elizabeth Rush, Brown University 
Hosted atYale Climate Connections
Linkhttps://yaleclimateconnections.org/2018/04/whats-on-your-climate-fiction-syllabus/
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: Climate Disasters: An Overview

Posted by on in Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Geography

A reading by the Third Pole that discusses the link between climate change and natural disasters. This  overview reading can be used as an introduction to the topic by teachers interested in teaching about climate change and disasters and hazards. The reading focuses on discussions on climate change related disasters in South Asia. It covers topics such as cyclones, floods, landslides, glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF), forest fires, droughts in South Asia. It further discusses the difference between ‘slow’ and ‘fast’ natural disasters. 

Students will understand how natural disasters and climate change are related. They will further learn about how climate change is causing natural disasters such as cyclones, floods, landslides, glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF), forest fires, droughts in South Asia.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. Discuss the link between climate change and natural disasters.
  2. Discuss the trend of climate-related disasters from 1900 to 2009. 

About the Tool 

Tool NameClimate Disasters
DisciplineEarth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Geography
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Change Overview, Cyclones, Floods, Landslides, Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF), Forest Fires, Droughts
Climate Topic Disasters and Hazards; Climate Literacy
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelHigh School, Undergraduate
LocationGlobal; Asia
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byThe Third Pole
Hosted atThe Third Pole
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Video Lecture: Quantum Mechanics and Climate Change

Posted by on in Earth Sciences, Physics

A lecture that describes how quantum mechanics plays a role in understanding Earth’s climate systems and climate change. This lecture by Brad Marston, Brown University, uses Richard Feynman’s double slit experiment to explain how changing concentrations of greenhouse gases could potentially affect Earth’s climate.

Students will be provided an overview of several key concepts in physics, such as the photoelectric effect, and some of the important equations used. They will further be introduced to the changing levels of CO2, atmospheric dynamics, how temperatures are measured, and how melting sea ice is affecting the circulation of wind, among other things.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. State the Photoelectric Effect along with its equation.
  2. Discuss the equation used to measure temperatures on different planets. 
  3. Discuss how the melting of ice affects the circulation of winds?

About the tool

Tool NameHow Quantum Physics Can Help Us Fight Climate Change
DisciplinePhysics, Earth Sciences
Topic(s) in DisciplineQuantum Physics, Photoelectric Effect, Photons, Quantum Mechanics, Atmospheric Dynamics, Planck’s Constant, Richard Feynman Experiment 
Climate Topic Climate and the Atmosphere
Type of tool Video Lecture (1h 17mins)
Grade LevelUndergraduate, Graduate
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byBrad Marston, Brown University
Hosted atYouTube
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Video: Ethics, Philosophy and Value Theory

Posted by on in Humanities

A video by John Broome, University of Oxford, on how ethics and philosophy impacts climate change policies. This video discusses the influence of philosophy on decision making and how it can specifically bring a paradigm shift in climate-related policy making.

Students will be introduced to philosophical concepts such as moral philosophy, value theory, decision theory, and intuition of neutrality. They will also learn how to use these theories in climate change decision making related to economic policies. Additionally, students will also learn how incorrect interpretation of certain philosophical thought leads to errors in value judgements.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to:

  1. How does philosophy influence climate change decision making?
  2. What is value theory? How can it be used to understand the value of climate related human deaths?
  3. How does ‘intuition of neutrality’ lead to amoral policy making? 

About the Tool

Tool NameJohn Broome | Climate change ethics: Life and death
DisciplineHumanities
Topic(s) in DisciplinePhilosophy, Moral Philosophy, Ethics, Public Policy, Value Theory, Decision Theory
Climate TopicClimate and Society
Type of toolVideo (59 mins)
Grade LevelUndergraduate, Graduate
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish
Translation
Developed byJohn Broome, University of Oxford
Hosted atStanford ENERGY channel on YouTube
Linkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJlkXzYkT3g
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: The Water Cycle

Posted by on in Chemistry

A reading that describes the impacts of climate change on the water cycle of Earth. This reading titled, ‘The Water Cycle and Climate Change’ by UCAR (University Corporation for Atmospheric Research) Center for Science Education details the effects of climate change on the natural water cycle on Earth.

Students will learn how various processes of the water cycle, such as evaporation, precipitation, and cloud formation, are potentially affected by climate change. They will further understand how these changes in turn could exacerbate the impacts of global warming.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. Describe the water cycle.
  2. List some of the ways how climate change can affect the weather.
  3. Discuss the water cycle and how it affects Earth’s climate. 

About the tool

Tool NameThe Water Cycle and Climate Change
DisciplineChemistry
Topic(s) in DisciplineEnvironmental Chemistry, Water Cycle, Biogeochemical Cycles, Hydrologic Cycle, Condensation, Evaporation, Evapotranspiration, Groundwater, Precipitation, Sublimation
Climate Topic Climate and the Hydrosphere; Climate and the Atmosphere
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelMiddle School, High School
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byUCAR (University Corporation for Atmospheric Research) Center for Science Education
Hosted atUCAR Center for Science Education Website
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Audio: Climate Change Poems read by Celebrities

Posted by on in Humanities

An audio resource that contains 21 poems on climate change. Compiled by UK poet laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, the resource provides audio files on themes of climate change by renowned poets, narrated by celebrities. The resource includes the following poems read by different celebrities:

  1. James Franco reads ‘Causeway’ by Matthew Hollis
  2. Jeremy Irons reads ‘Storm’ by Michael Longley 
  3. Ruth Wilson reads ‘Vertigo’ by Alice Oswald 
  4. Gabriel Byrne reads ‘Zoological Positivism Blues’ by Paul Muldoon 
  5. Michael Sheen reads ‘Scratching for Metaphor in the Somerset Coalfields’ by Sean Borodale
  6. Kelly Macdonald reads ‘Extinction’ by Jackie Kay 
  7. Maxine Peake reads ‘A Mancunian Taxi-driver Foresees His Death’ by Michael Symmons Roberts 
  8. Tamsin Greig reads ‘Last Snowman’ by Simon Armitage
  9. Iain Glen reads ‘Nostalgia’ by Don Paterson
  10. Iwan Rheon reads ‘Cantre’r Gwaelod*’ by Gillian Clarke 
  11. James Franco reads ‘Still like with Sea Pinks and High Tide’ by Maura Dooley
  12. Jeremy Irons reads ‘Turbines in January’ by Colette Bryce
  13. Ruth Wilson reads ‘Silent Sea’ by Rachael Boast
  14. Gabriel Byrne reads ‘The Solace of Artemis’ by Paula Meehan
  15. Michael Sheen reads ‘The Rhinoceros’ by Robert Minhinnick 
  16. Kelly Macdonald reads ‘X’ by Imtiaz Dharkar
  17. Maxine Peake reads ‘Doggerland’ by Jo Bell  
  18. Tamsin Greig reads ‘A Language of Change’ by David Sergeant
  19. Iain Glen reads ‘California Dreaming’ by Lachlan McKinnon
  20. Gabriel Byrne reads ‘Late Sentinels’ by Peter Fallon 
  21. James Franco reads ‘I was Born into a World’ by James Franco 

Both audio mp3 and text versions of the poems are available on the website

Students will learn about climate change through the use of poetry. They will also understand the techniques involved in writing and analysing poetry.  

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. How is climate change portrayed in modern poetry?
  2. How do you analyse a poem? 

About the Tool 

Tool Name‘Our melting, shifting liquid world’: celebrities read poems on climate change
DisciplineHumanities
Topic(s) in DisciplinePoetry, Literature 
Climate Topic Climate and Society
Type of tool Reading, Audio
Grade LevelHigh school, Undergraduate
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byCarol Ann Duffy
Hosted atThe Guardian
LinkAudio Link
AccessOnline/Offline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: Climate Change and Ecosystems

Posted by on in Biological Sciences
  • A journal volume compiled and edited by Janet Franklin, Yadvinder Malhi, Nathalie Seddon, Martin Solan, Chris Field, Nancy Knowlton and Monica Turner titled ‘Climate change and ecosystems: threats, opportunities and solutions’ at the ‘Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, Biological Sciences’ that discusses the link between climate change and ecosystems. This volume includes the following articles:-
    1. Climate change and ecosystems: threats, opportunities and solutions (Yadvinder Malhi, Janet Franklin, Nathalie Seddon, Martin Solan, Monica G. Turner, Christopher B. Field and Nancy Knowlton)
    2. Climate change, ecosystems and abrupt change: science priorities (Monica G. Turner, W. John Calder, Graeme S. Cumming, Terry P. Hughes, Anke Jentsch, Shannon L. LaDeau, Timothy M. Lenton, Bryan N. Shuman, Merritt R. Turetsky, Zak Ratajczak, John W. Williams, A. Park Williams and Stephen R. Carpenter)
    3. Soil microbial community responses to climate extremes: resistance, resilience and transitions to alternative states (Richard D. Bardgett and Tancredi Caruso)
    4. If the trees burn, is the forest lost? Past dynamics in temperate forests help inform management strategies (Virginia Iglesias and Cathy Whitlock)
    5. Comparing the impact of future cropland expansion on global biodiversity and carbon storage across models and scenarios (Amy Molotoks, Roslyn Henry, Elke Stehfest, Jonathan Doelman, Petr Havlik, Tamás Krisztin, Peter Alexander, Terence P. Dawson and Pete Smith)
    6. Plant community diversity will decline more than increase under climatic warming (Susan Harrison)
    7. The development of Anthropocene biotas (Chris D. Thomas)
    8. Climatic and local stressor interactions threaten tropical forests and coral reefs (Filipe M. França, Cassandra E. Benkwitt, Guadalupe Peralta, James P. W. Robinson, Nicholas A. J. Graham, Jason M. Tylianakis, Erika Berenguer, Alexander C. Lees, Joice Ferreira, Júlio Louzada and Jos Barlow)
    9. Benthic-based contributions to climate change mitigation and adaptation (Martin Solan, Elena M. Bennett, Peter J. Mumby, Julian Leyland and Jasmin A. Godbold)
    10. Climate change mitigation and nature conservation both require higher protected area targets (Callum M. Roberts, Bethan C. O’Leary and Julie P. Hawkins)
    11. Planning for climate change through additions to a national protected area network: implications for cost and configuration (Joshua J. Lawler, D. Scott Rinnan, Julia L. Michalak, John C. Withey, Christopher R. Randels and Hugh P. Possingham)
    12. Understanding the value and limits of nature-based solutions to climate change and other global challenges (Nathalie Seddon, Alexandre Chausson, Pam Berry, Cécile A. J. Girardin, Alison Smith and Beth Turner)
    13. Mapping co-benefits for carbon storage and biodiversity to inform conservation policy and action (C. Soto-Navarro, C. Ravilious, A. Arnell, X. de Lamo, M. Harfoot, S. L. L. Hill, O. R. Wearn, M. Santoro, A. Bouvet, S. Mermoz, T. Le Toan, J. Xia, S. Liu, W. Yuan, S. A. Spawn, H. K. Gibbs, S. Ferrier, T. Harwood, R. Alkemade, A. M. Schipper, G. Schmidt-Traub, B. Strassburg, L. Miles, N. D. Burgess and V. Kapos)
    14. Co-producing ecosystem services for adapting to climate change (Sandra Lavorel, Bruno Locatelli, Matthew J. Colloff and Enora Bruley)
    15. National mitigation potential from natural climate solutions in the tropics (Bronson W. Griscom, Jonah Busch, Susan C. Cook-Patton, Peter W. Ellis, Jason Funk, Sara M. Leavitt, Guy Lomax, Will R. Turner, Melissa Chapman, Jens Engelmann, Noel P. Gurwick, Emily Landis, Deborah Lawrence, Yadvinder Malhi, Lisa Schindler Murray, Diego Navarrete, Stephanie Roe, Sabrina Scull, Pete Smith, Charlotte Streck, Wayne S. Walker and Thomas Worthington)
    16. Nature-based approaches to managing climate change impacts in cities (Sarah E. Hobbie and Nancy B. Grimm)
    17. Trophic rewilding presents regionally specific opportunities for mitigating climate change (Christopher J. Sandom, Owen Middleton, Erick Lundgren, John Rowan, Simon D. Schowanek, Jens-Christian Svenning and Søren Faurby)
    18. Pleistocene Arctic megafaunal ecological engineering as a natural climate solution? (Marc Macias-Fauria, Paul Jepson, Nikita Zimov and Yadvinder Malhi)
    19. Harnessing employment-based social assistance programmes to scale up nature-based climate action (Andrew Norton, Nathalie Seddon, Arun Agrawal, Clare Shakya, Nanki Kaur and Ina Porras)
    20. Tipping positive change (Timothy M. Lenton)

Students will learn the effects of climate change on ecosystems. 

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. How does climate change affect the biosphere?
  2. What is the impact of climate change on ecosystems?

About the Tool 

Tool Name‘Climate change and ecosystems: threats, opportunities and solutions’
DisciplineBiological Sciences
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Change Overview, Ecosystems
Climate Topic Climate Literacy; Climate and the Biosphere
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelUndergraduate
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byEditor in Chief John Pickett; Edited By Janet Franklin, Yadvinder Malhi, Nathalie Seddon, Martin Solan, Chris Field, Nancy Knowlton and Monica Turner
Hosted atThe Royal Society Publishing
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: Climate Change in the Social Sciences Classroom

Posted by on in Social Sciences

An article titled ‘Climate Change in the Social Studies Classroom: A “Why” and “How to” Guide Using the C3 Framework’ by Lori M Kumler and Bethany Vosburg-Bluem published in the journal Social Education of the National Council for the Social Studies. This reading uses the C3 framework to discuss how climate change can be taught in Social Studies classrooms. It includes discussions on the following four dimensions of pedagogy applied to the disciplines of Civics, Economics, Geography, and History:

Dimension 1: Developing Questions and Planning Inquiries

Dimension 2: Applying Disciplinary Tools and Concepts

Dimension 3: Evaluating Sources and Using Evidence

Dimension 4: Communicating Conclusions and Taking Informed Action

Students will understand the importance of the social dimensions of climate change and the importance of the social studies in understanding climate change and its impacts. 

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. What is the role of the social sciences in understanding climate change?
  2. What are some social, economic, and political consequences of climate change?
  3. Discuss how climate change responsibility can be addressed.

About the Tool 

Tool NameClimate Change in the Social Studies Classroom: A “Why” and “How to” Guide Using the C3 Framework 
DisciplineSocial Sciences
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Change Overview
Climate Topic Climate Literacy
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelHigh School, Undergraduate
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byLori M Kumler and Bethany Vosburg-Bluem
Hosted atSocial Education, National Council for the Social Studies
LinkLink
AccessOnline/Offline
Computer SkillsBasic

Classroom/ Laboratory Activity: Interactive Quiz on the Water Cycle

Posted by on in Chemistry

An interactive quiz about the Water Cycle. This  quiz by NASA’s Global Climate Change website allows students to test their knowledge about the natural water cycle and its role in Earth’s climate. 

Students will be quizzed on various aspects of the water cycle, including evaporation and precipitation. They will understand the connections between the various components of the water cycle and be introduced to some of the facts and figures associated with these components. 

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. Discuss the ‘Water Cycle’ and its components in the classroom. 
  2. Discuss how climate change can potentially affect the water cycle. 

About the tool

Tool NamePrecipitation and the Water Cycle
DisciplineChemistry
Topic(s) in DisciplineEnvironmental Chemistry, Water Cycle, Biogeochemical Cycles, Hydrologic Cycle, Condensation, Evaporation, Evapotranspiration, Groundwater, Precipitation, Sublimation
Climate Topic Climate and the Hydrosphere; Climate and the Atmosphere
Type of tool Quiz
Grade LevelMiddle School, High School
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byNASA’s Global Climate Change
Hosted atNASA’s Global Climate Change Website
Linkhttps://climate.nasa.gov/quizzes/water-cycle/
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: Chaos Theory and Global Warming

Posted by on in Earth Sciences, Physics

A reading titled ‘Chaos in the Atmosphere’ by Spencer Weart hosted on the website of Center for History of Physics, American Institute of Physics. This reading is a supplement to Spencer Weart’s book titled, ‘The Discovery of Global Warming’, that explains complex models about weather prediction and chaos theory. 

Students will learn about chaos theory with respect to the Earth’s atmosphere and climate system. They will also learn how chaos theory is used to make predictions and calculations for climate change.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to:

  1. What is chaos theory?
  2. What makes climate calculation difficult to predict?
  3. How can small changes lead to catastrophic climate impact?

About the Tool

Tool NameChaos in the Atmosphere
DisciplinePhysics, Earth Sciences
Topic(s) in DisciplineChaos Theory, Climate Models, Atmospheric Physics, Weather Prediction
Climate TopicPlanetary Climate; Planetary Energy Balance
Type of toolReading
Grade LevelHigh School, Undergraduate
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish
Translation
Developed bySpencer Weart
Hosted atCenter for History of Physics, American Institute of Physics
LinkLink
AccessOnline/ Offline
Computer SkillsBasic

Video/Microlecture: Precipitation Patterns and Climate Change

Posted by on in Chemistry

A video micro-lecture by Jeff Dozier, University of California, Santa Barbara,  that explains how climate change can affect the water cycle on Earth. 

Students will learn that rising temperatures can affect and change precipitation patterns. They will further understand how such changes can potentially affect communities through examples from the United States.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. Discuss the water cycle and its components in the classroom. 
  2. Discuss how climate change induced shifts in precipitation affect communities living in those areas.

About the tool

Tool NameHow Will Climate Change Affect It? – The Water Cycle
DisciplineChemistry
Topic(s) in DisciplineEnvironmental Chemistry, Water Cycle, Biogeochemical Cycles, Hydrologic Cycle, Condensation, Evaporation, Evapotranspiration, Groundwater, Precipitation, Sublimation
Climate Topic Climate and the Hydrosphere; Climate and the Atmosphere
Type of tool Video/Microlecture (2 mins)
Grade LevelHigh School
LocationGlobal, USA
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byJeff Dozier, University of California, Santa Barbara 
Hosted atNational Science Foundation on YouTube
Linkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fI5b5bwpdVE
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic