Climate Change and Leaf-out in Plants
Climate Change and Leaf-out in Plants Classroom/Laboratory Activity A classroom/laboratory activity to explore the possible role of climate-related environmental factors in the timing of leaf-out in plants (specifically, red maple leaf-out in New England). In this activity, students will create graphs by using data for the timing of red maple leaf-out in New England. They […]
Survival Skills-Response of Organisms to Climate Change
Survival Skills-Response of Organisms to Climate Change Classroom/Laboratory Activity A classroom/laboratory activity to analyze the distribution of beetle, mammal, and plant species (for datasets from North America) in the past (based on fossil records), determine whether the same species exist today, and compare the past and present geographic ranges and ecosystems of these species. Students […]
Climate Change and Phenology in Plants (Flowering)
Climate Change and Phenology in Plants (Flowering) Classroom Activity A classroom/ laboratory activity to learn about phenology and phenological events, and to understand the potential impacts of climate change on periodic life-cycle events in plants, specifically, on the bloom date of North American lilac shrubs. Students will use phenology data on flowering patterns to create […]
Malaria and Climate Change
Malaria and Climate Change Classroom/Laboratory Activity A classroom/laboratory activity to establish the potential link between the geographic distribution of malaria and increasing temperature caused by climate change. Students will use maps and temperature data sheets to determine the locations where malaria is known to occur and the temperature ranges in these locations. Further, they will […]
Squirrel Species Distribution and Climate Change
Squirrel Species Distribution and Climate Change Classroom/Laboratory Activity A classroom/laboratory activity to examine and analyze squirrel species distribution and habitat data (from the USA) over time, and to interpret the possible relationship between climate change and changes in biodiversity. Students will analyze data for past and modern squirrel populations and habitats, and will then interpret […]
Carbon Dioxide and Photosynthetic Rates
Carbon Dioxide and Photosynthetic Rates Classroom/Laboratory Activity A classroom/laboratory activity that shows how to measure the rate of photosynthesis and its changes under different conditions including high concentrations of carbon dioxide, a potential contributor to climate change. Students will be able to explore, measure, and determine the rate at which photosynthesis occurs under one independent […]
Photosynthesis and Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide
Photosynthesis and Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Classroom/ Laboratory Activity A classroom/laboratory activity that shows how to measure the rate of photosynthesis and its changes under different conditions including high concentrations of carbon dioxide, a potential contributor to climate change. Students will be able to explore, measure, and determine the rate at which photosynthesis occurs under one […]
Photosynthesis Under Variable Environmental Conditions
Photosynthesis Under Variable Environmental Conditions Classroom/Laboratory Activity A simple simulator that allows users to change a range of variables such as the color of light, brightness of light, and carbon dioxide concentration, and then note their impact on the photosynthetic efficiency of a plant. Use this tool to help your students find answers to: What […]
Metabolic Rates and Global Warming
Metabolic Rates and Global Warming Classroom/Laboratory Activity A classroom/laboratory activity to measure the metabolic rate in living organisms and to understand the possible effects of rising temperatures on metabolic rate of these organisms. This activity demonstrates how metabolic activity changes in ectotherms (goldfish) and endotherms (common mouse) at different temperatures. Students will learn how to […]
Glacial Retreat in Glacier National Park
Glacial Retreat in Glacier National Park Classroom/Laboratory Activity A classroom/laboratory activity that introduces the relationship between climate and the cryosphere, explains how sea-level rise can be predicted (based on average global temperature change), and triggers a discussion on the potential impacts of sea-level rise. In this activity, students will examine actual data for projected sea-level […]