Climate & Data Activities
Fostering student inquiry of climate science with real-time data.
The activities in this collection are based on the principle that real-time environmental data is a valuable tool for providing students with opportunities for self-directed exploration of the natural world. Students engaging in these activities will gain a deeper understanding of carbon cycling, ocean acidification, and other phenomena related to climate change. These activities are designed with the three-dimensional approach to teaching in mind (e.g. NGSS-aligned), and also use a data literacy framework to help guide students through data orientation, interpretation, and synthesis.
Each activity described here provides the educator with an overview/reference page, a complete write up of the activity, and the supporting slides, handouts and student worksheets.
Engaging with Data Visualizations
Carbon Reservoirs and Global Carbon Cycling – Introduction
Tracking Carbon: Photosynthesis and Respiration
Tracking Carbon: Global Flows and Reservoirs
Anthropogenic Effects on Carbon Flows and Reservoirs
Causes and Effects of Climate Change
Ocean Acidification: Overview and Data Inquiry Activities
Ocean Acidification: Effects on Organisms and Solving an Environmental Challenge
Global and Local Solutions to Climate Change
Visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for more Classroom-Ready Data Resources.
These activities were prepared by the Lawrence Hall of Science and Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve under award nos. NA14SEC0080004 and NA15SEC0080001 from the Environmental Literacy Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of NOAA or the U.S. Department of Commerce.