Investigating Climate Change Using Observed Temperature Data

Carla McAuliffe, Earth Exploration Toolbook, TERC

In this activity, students download historic temperature datasets and then graph and compare with different locations. As an extension, students can download and examine data sets for other sites to compare the variability of changes at different distinct locations, and it is at this stage where learning can be individualized and very meaningful.

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Notes from our reviewers

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This is a great tool for teaching Excel as a tool, accessing important real-time data, and creating awareness about changing climate conditions. Students should work in small groups.
Activity has students access format graph and compare historical temperature data for different locations around the world to observe regional differences in climate change. Excellent use and application of science data with a problem-based scenario. Suggested resources for further study are current and good for given grade level. The activity was updated in 2012, but the online datasets are updated continuously so students can use most recent data. Comments from expert scientist: It will give a view to students of the climate variability and trends, the differences in these between different climatic zones. It will allow students to make their own conclusions on possible warming, and its geographical distribution. It builds the mathematical expertise of the students, and allows the use of Excel to work on the trend, changes in Celsius to Fahrenheit, side-by-side comparisons.
Good organization of learning materials and a logical learning sequence leads students to analyze and understand complex data sets. The instructions are clear, thorough, and well-written but they do require focus. The step-by-step structure of the data access and analysis parts of activity might be difficult for some students to follow easily. The case study provides good background information for students and teachers. Excellent 'going further' activities for advanced students.