Interpretations: Reading the Book of Earth

Cynthia Fadem, Earlham College, InTeGrate; SERC

In this activity, students graph and analyze methane data, extracted from an ice core, to examine how atmospheric methane has changed over the past 109,000 years in a case study format. Calculating the rate of change of modern methane concentrations, they compare the radiative forcing of methane and carbon dioxide and make predictions about the future, based on what they have learned from the data and man's role in that future.

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Notes from our reviewers

The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness. Read what our review team had to say about this resource below or learn more about how CLEAN reviews teaching materials.

Educators have to request access to instructor materials by filling out a form but will need to do only once. When they are accepted into the system as an instructor, they will have all access to all such designated materials. This is a quantitative exercise and uses a spreadsheet program, both of which can be problematic for students. The activity provides several suggestions for helping students through the quantitative and graphing parts of the activity. This is the second of two case studies that examine the climate system. These case studies can be used independently or together, and there is an overarching teacher's guide that has lecture notes, assessment questions, and background information. [link http://serc.carleton.edu/integrate/teaching_materials/climate_change/unit5.html] Student materials do not refer to the source of the data; however, the instructor materials do. Educators should let the students know where the data comes from and suggest that they enter this information in their spreadsheet with the data. The information is also in the slides.
This activity focuses on interpreting geoscientific data (atmospheric methane recorded in ice cores) and examining relative changes in climate. Comments from expert scientist: Scientific strengths: - Calculating rate of change - Converting temperatures - Analyzing data using Excel - Interpreting data and putting results into context Suggestions: - Should introduce "Radiation" and "Radiative forcing" earlier in the worksheet
Students graph and analyze atmospheric methane data from ice core records, and compare the relative forcing power of methane and CO2. Using the methane data and current rate of change, students are asked to predict what is likely to happen to methane concentrations and associated atmospheric temperature changes and what humans would need to do to either mitigate or adapt to predicted changes. The activity also helps students connect their quantitative results with the implications for climate and for humans. This shows how numerical findings are useful. Activity includes Student Instructions, Student data sheet, Instructor Guidelines, and PowerPoint presentation.
This activity is well thought out and carefully described. All of the materials are included, and each step of the process is thoroughly documented. Supplemental resources are also provided. The student and instructor document files have different and somewhat generic names, unlike how the name for the link appears in the instructions. Instructors should be aware and make sure they have the downloaded files identified appropriately.