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.

Data Scavenger Hunt

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.


NOAA

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.