Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Hhmi: Biointeractive: Understanding Global Change
Students will build models that explain how small changes in the Earth system's components and processes can produce measurable global effects.
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: Atmospheric Science Explorers: Global Climate Change
A detailed overview of global climate change, with explanations of Earth's climate change, the carbon cycle, ecosystems, and greenhouse gases, and how the movements of matter and energy impact on climate. All information is reinforced...
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: Virtual Ballooning to Explore the Atmosphere Activity
In this computer-based virtual lab, students will learn about the layers of Earth's atmosphere by launching virtual balloons to collect temperature and pressure data at various altitudes. Given a limited number of balloon flights,...
Other
Student Activities: Greenhouse Warming, What Is It? [Pdf]
This lesson plan resource contains a series of activities that allow the students to learn about the issue of global warming. Requires Adobe Reader. [PDF]
National Geographic
National Geographic: Using Models to Make Predictions
Students investigate the interaction between greenhouse gases, solar radiation, and the Earth's surface and oceans for the impact on global warming. By altering variables, they can project what reduction in greenhouses gases is needed in...
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Scientific American: Hot Times in Alaska: Light Absorption
Investigate the science behind global warming with these classroom activities. Compare light and dark objects to see how they respond to light absorption and heat generation, and describe the albedo values of various materials.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Metamorphosis Stories of Change
The goal of this activity is for students to learn how to tell a story in order to make a complex topic (such as global warming or ozone holes) easier for a reader to grasp. Students realize that the narrative impulse underlies even...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Hot Stuff!
Students observe demonstrations, and build and evaluate simple models to understand the greenhouse effect and the role of increased greenhouse gas concentration in global warming.
Other
Energy Star: Energy Star Kids
The Government sponsored resource helps individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. Topics examined are climate change, global warming, and energy. The resource consists of games and activities, lesson plans,...
US Environmental Protection Agency
Epa: Create a New Climate for Action
The wealth of information and tools available on this site will assist students and teachers to develop and promote active awareness of the impact human beings have on the environment. Resources are provided to guide them in how to lead...
Other
Lehigh University: Climate Change
An inquiry-based science unit for middle school students centered on weather and climate. The lessons integrate technology and lab activities while teaching about Earth system energy balance, greenhouse gases, paleoclimatology, and how...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: It's Really Heating Up in Here!
Students create and observe a greenhouse effect model and discuss the implications of global warming theory for engineers, themselves and the Earth.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Pollution Politics
Students learn how a bill becomes law in the U.S. Congress and research legislation related to global warming.
US Geological Survey
Usgs: Effects of Human Activities
This site reviews the effects of agricultural development, urban and industrial development, drainage of the land surface, modifications to river valleys, and modifications to the atmosphere have on ground water and surface water.
Other
Antarctic Geological Drilling: Environmental Literacy Framework Activities
An impressive collection of lessons on climate science and climate change. The entire book can be downloaded. As well, each lesson has its own page with some combination of background information, PowerPoints, images, maps, glossaries,...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Sinking Water: Glaciers, Ocean Currents and Weather Patterns
A instructional activity where students learn how warm water is less dense than cold water, and what this means for global climate change as ice from the polar regions melts. Students will do experiments in buoyancy and water density...
Next.cc
Next: Climate
Complete these three activities to learn about climate, severe weather, and global warming. Includes links to explore related material.
NOAA
Noaa: Ocean Explorer: The Methane Circus
In this activity students will understand the events occuring during the Cambrian explosion. They will also begin to explain how methane hydrates contribute to global warming. Finally, they will discuss links between methane hydrates...
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: Learn: The Greenhouse Effect
A detailed overview of the greenhouse effect, with explanations about Earth's atmosphere gases referred to as greenhouse gases, and the factors that influence the heat-trapping ability of a greenhouse. All information is reinforced...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Energy Intelligence Agency
This activity provides an active way for students to discover a few critical facts about how we use energy and how much energy we use. Each student has a "clue", some of which are pertinent energy facts and others are silly statements...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Trash to Treasure!
Student teams use the engineering design process to create a useful product of their choice out of recyclable items and "trash." The class is given a "landfill" of reusable items, such as aluminum cans, cardboard, paper, juice boxes,...
Climate Literacy
Clean: Do Scientists Agree About the Causes of Climate Change?
Students follow a four-step process to debunk the myth regarding scientific consensus on climate change.
University of Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin: Paradise Lost?: Teaching Climate Change in the Great Lakes Region
This website is designed as a resource for high school and middle school teachers on the topic of climate change. The emphasis of this site is on providing hands-on activities. Includes activities that involve language arts, social...
Globio
Glossopedia: Earth Day
Earth Day is a worldwide celebration held annually on April 22nd. The purposes of Earth Day, the history of and the various activities held around the world are described. Activities and projects that can be done daily or year round are...