Next Generation Climate Lesson 2 - What factors have caused the rise in the global temperature over the last century?

Notes from our reviewers

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• Teaching Tips
  Check out the Climate Generation website featuring this lesson for supplemental materials and more information: [link https://www.climategen.org/take-action/teach-climate-change/curriculum/download-sample-lessons/] The large-group activity could be completed indoors (gym, cafeteria) if weather or logistics does not permit an outdoor activity. The research that the students are required to do as far as their claim, evidence and reasoning (CER), would do well in collaboration with school's librarian/media specialist.
• About the Science
  Activity addresses factors that are causing the climate to change and distinguishes between natural and human causes. Comments from expert scientist: Scientific strengths: - breaks down the reason why climate change happens in the first place (humans produce GHG, suns radiation gets trapped) - Love the tagging game!!! Suggestions: This definition is may be confusing and should be clarified in class: greenhouse effect: A phenomenon in which the atmosphere of a planet traps radiation emitted by its sun, caused by gases such as carbon dioxide, water vapor, and methane that allow incoming sunlight to pass through but retain heat radiated back from the planet's surface.
• About the Pedagogy
  Terrific kinesthetic modeling of the greenhouse effect. The game looks complex but really isn't. Activity teaches scientific principles while having fun at the same time.
• Technical Details/Ease of Use
  Link for video for Lesson 2 is here: [link http://www.climategen.org/ngconline/]. Educators may need to find additional resources as background reading if unfamiliar with common models of climate change.