This tutorial provides the evidence that the amount of CO² in the atmosphere has not been as high as it is currently for nearly half a million years and that this increase corresponds with data that human activity is responsible. Learners examine... (View More) scientific data showing increases in both atmospheric becomes CO² and the Earth's average temperature and analyze changes in atmospheric concentration of CO² over time. They reflect on some of the barriers involved in teaching global climate change and how using data in the classroom may be used to overcome those barriers. Multimedia resources such as video clips, a data visualization exercise featuring digital resources on climate.nasa.gov, and an interview with NASA climate scientist, Dr. Gavin Schmidt, are included. This is the second of ten self-paced professional development modules providing opportunities for teachers to learn about climate change through first-hand data exploration. Lesson plans for middle and high school students, descriptions of data collection instruments, glossary links to vocabulary are included. (View Less)

This online, facilitated course is designed for middle-school educators wishing to teach global climate change using an inquiry/problem-based approach. Teachers access the course by registering with PBS TeacherLine and enrolling in the course. The... (View More) course supports teaching global climate change using a problem-solving approach and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) methodology to engage middle-school students and help them understand the causes and effects of climate change and learn about the differences between climate and weather and how actions and nature affect the environment. The course includes pedagogic support for educators who are interested in using Web 2.0 tools when teaching about climate change in the classroom. Enhance content knowledge of climate change and learn how to effectively implement STEM instructional strategies using resources from NASA and WGBH’s Teachers’ Domain. (View Less)

This self-paced tutorial explores the evidence for sea level rise related to global climate change and the consequences for humanity, especially for coastal-dwelling populations. Learners explore how a warming climate contributes to sea level rise,... (View More) examine how satellites collect sea level data, and analyze interactive data to understand the potential consequences of climate change on sea level in different parts of the world. Multimedia educational resources including video clips and glossary links to vocabulary are included. This is the seventh of ten self-paced professional development modules providing opportunities for teachers to learn about climate change through first-hand data exploration. (View Less)

In this self-paced tutorial, learners trace the feedbacks in the Earth system that are responsible for the Arctic's sensitivity to global climate change impacts. Both graphical data sets and scientific visualizations are evaluated for evidence for... (View More) decreasing sea ice cover and land ice in the Arctic. Multimedia educational resources including video clips, data portals, and vocabulary terms linked to a glossary are included. This is the last of ten self-paced professional development modules providing opportunities for teachers to learn about climate change through first-hand data exploration. (View Less)

This problem-based learning module places learners in the role of researchers analyzing carbon monoxide’s environmental impact. Both vehicle emissions and biomass burning are cited as events producing carbon monoxide that impact the environment.... (View More) Instructions for accessing NASA data from four different sources are provided along with suggested resources and investigations for classroom use. This module was developed to be used in the Earth System Science Education Alliance (ESSEA) courses for middle and high school teachers and is also available to teachers to adapt for general classroom use. (View Less)

In this problem-based learning unit, learners analyze the role of condensation trails from jets, or contrails, and their role in climate change. Contrails are thin ice clouds that form from the burning of jet fuel and release of water vapor. The... (View More) issue with contrails is that narrow trails can spread and coalesce to form significant banks of cirrus-type clouds. Instructions to access NASA data are provided along with additional resources and activities. This module was developed to be used in the Earth System Science Education Alliance (ESSEA) courses for middle and high school teachers and is also available to teachers to adapt for general classroom use. (View Less)

In this problem-based learning unit, students learn about the causes and impacts of urban heat islands. Numerous studies have shown how concrete pavements and buildings retain heat in cities, making cities several degrees warmer than the surrounding... (View More) countryside. Students investigate the role of cities in our climate, specifically how the urban heat island affects climate. Instructions to access NASA data are provided along with additional resources and activities. This module was developed for use in the Earth System Science Education Alliance (ESSEA) professional development courses for middle and high school teachers and is also available to teachers to adapt for general classroom use. See Related & Supplemental URLs for a demo course showing how this module is integrated into an ESSEA course for teachers. (View Less)