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Northwestern

University Climate Change Symposium 2010

Climate Change Causes and Potential Solutions


Lesson Plan Developed by:
Hina Patel, West Leyden High School, Northlake, Illinois

Based on Presentation
Moyer, Liz. October 2010. Responses to Climate Change Policy: A Reality Check on
Alternative Energy. Northwestern University Climate Change Symposium. Evanston, IL.

A presentation of the same title, given by Dr. Moyer (Univ. of Chicago) at Northwesterns
2009 Climate Change Symposium, is available online (running time 28:19):
http://www.isen.northwestern.edu/video_pages/nov5_responses_to_climate.html

Purpose
The main goal of this project is to get students to better understand the current energy
crisis and options available to help mitigate the problem. The students will gain knowledge
on why curbing and controlling the damage is so difficult financially and socially. Also, by
studying the cause and effects of climate change, the hope is that students will realize
changes they can make in their own lives, no matter how small, to help lessen their carbon
footprint.

Overview
During this activity, students will be placed into groups and asked to create a presentation
based on their research into one of four general areas of alternate energy: transportation,
housing, farm fuels, and greenhouse gases. The groups should have about 3-4 students and
the presentation can be made on any software program they believe will suit their needs
and convey their message. The students should be given about a week to complete the
project which they will then present to the class. Since all the groups are presenting on
varying aspects of the greater climate change issue, all the presentations will provide
different information on the main culprits of climate change and broaden the students
understanding of the types of alternate energy that are available.

Student Outcomes
Illinois State Science Standards
STATE GOAL 11: Understand the processes of scientific inquiry and technological design to
investigate questions, conduct experiments and solve problems.
11.A.4f - Using available technology, report, display and defend to an audience
conclusions drawn from investigations.

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Northwestern University Climate Change Symposium 2010


STATE GOAL 12: Understand the fundamental concepts, principles and interconnections of
the life, physical and earth/space sciences.

12.E.5 Analyze the processes involved in naturally occurring short-term and long-
term Earth events (e.g., floods, ice ages, temperature, sea-level fluctuations).
12.C.5a Analyze reactions (e.g., nuclear reactions, burning of fuel, decomposition of
waste) in natural and man-made energy systems.

STATE GOAL 13: Understand the relationships among science, technology and society in
historical and contemporary contexts.
13.B.4d Analyze local examples of resource use, technology use or conservation
programs; document findings; and make recommendations for improvements.
Climate Literacy Standards
1. The sun is the primary source of energy for earths climate system. (A, C)

3. Life on Earth depends on, is shaped by, and affects climate. (D)

4. Climate varies over space and time through natural and man-made processes. (D, F, G)

5. Our understanding of the climate system is improved through observations, theoretical
studies, and modeling. (E)

6. Human activities are impacting the climate system. (A, B, C)

7. Climate change will have consequences for the earth system and human lives. (A, C, F)


Time
Students should be given 2-3 class periods (45-minutes) to meet with their group, gather
information, and plan their presentation. The rest of the work they can do at home or on
their own time. Each group will be given 10-15 minutes to present and answer questions.

Grade Level
Grades 9-12. This lesson can be implemented almost any science class

Materials and Tools


Internet and a presentation software program (preferably PowerPoint or iMovie)

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Northwestern University Climate Change Symposium 2010

Preparation
I recommend reserving the media center at school for the research days and informing the
librarians about what the kids are working on. In the past, our media center has provided a
brief (5 minute) information session for the students to get acquainted with online science-
specific resources and library search tools. It seems to help focus the students research
and this way they are not all getting the same information from Google. There are also
services that allow you to personally pre-save websites and ebooks for the students to
browse through and this might save them some time and help narrow their search to
reliable sources.

Prerequisites
I tie this lesson into my chapter on energy but it can be implemented anywhere as a
standalone project.

Background
Although students can be given this project without any prior lesson, it might be helpful if
they had some universal climate change knowledge since the project will require them to
learn about a specific aspect of the bigger problem. I like showing An Inconvenient Truth
beforehand to expose them to the topic. You dont need to show the entire movie, just
about thirty minutes or so to get them thinking about what causes climate change and the
Earths general climate history and trends.

Teaching Notes
It is beneficial to have the greenhouse gases group present first as an introduction to the
more specific solutions that the other students worked on.
If you are short on time (as the presentations do take a couple of class periods to get
through), you can have the kids partner up and read a current article on the energy crisis
and then find solutions to the problem followed by a very brief, 2-3 minute presentation.

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Northwestern University Climate Change Symposium 2010

Project: Climate Change Causes and Potential Solutions


By now you have most likely heard that our planet is undergoing a major climate
change and natural resource crisis. The concept of global warming, fuel shortages and even
severe weather are daily news events that remind us of the perils of our actions as
consumers. The main goal of this project is to get you to better understand the current
energy crisis and options available to help mitigate (lessen) the problem. By doing the
research and listening to your fellow classmates presentations, you will gain knowledge on
why curbing and controlling the damage is so difficult financially and socially but also why
it is necessary for our survival. Also, by studying the cause and effects of climate change,
the hope is that you will realize changes you can make in your own life, no matter how
small, to help reduce your carbon footprint.
Your group has been given one of four topics to focus your research on along with
the rubric for that particular area. You are to spend the two class periods in the media
center gathering information, answering some of the questions in your rubric, and
discussing with your group the best method of presenting your material. You will make a
10 minute PowerPoint presentation or a movie using iMovie or other presentation
software. If you decide to make a movie, you must have vocal delivery in it (you must
talk/explain things during the video)ask if you have questions.
Remember to cite your sources! You should be able to explain what developments
are occurring and how people are coping with these problems. Be ready to answer
questions from your teacher and/or classmates. Your presentation should be no longer
than 15 minutes including questions.

The rubric for grading is attached.


Your PowerPoint must be emailed to your teacher by the deadline.
(Save the attachment with your class period and last name)
Also bring your presentation on a flashdrive to class so if the email didnt
come through, or it wont open, you are not penalized for a late submission.

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FARM FUELS

Things to consider

PTS

General Information

Biofuels, compare/contrast, explain what they are, etc.

/15

Problems that may arise, issues to think about

food shortage, deforestation, CO2 levels, etc

/10

Conversion of farmlands

acres converted, what is being grown (stats/data)

Costs

costs of planting different biofuels, consumer costs of


food, net profit (seed/labor/irrigation costs, etc vs sales)
for various biofuels

/10

Appearance of slides, vocal delivery, participation by all


members, citation of sources, ability to answer questions

/10

TOTAL POINTS

/50

Power Point Presentation (15 minutes)

EMAIL COPIES OF PRESENTATION THE DAY


BEFORE AND BRING A COPY ON FLASH DRIVE!

PRESENTATION DATE: _______________________

/5

GREEN HOUSE GASES

Things to consider

PTS

Contributions to Climate Change

Talk about the main culprits. Data/stats

Environmental Factors; what's making the problem


worse and why?

Deforestation, carbon emissions, pollution

What are the short and long term effects of increased


green house gases

rise in sea levels, habitat elimination, loss of species,


etc.

/10

Calculate costs for reducing green house gases

emission credits, green space, planting trees by houses,


etc

/10

Appearance of slides, vocal delivery, participation by all


members, citation of sources, ability to answer questions

/10

TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS

/50

Power Point Presentation (15 minutes)

EMAIL COPIES OF PRESENTATION THE DAY


BEFORE AND BRING A COPY ON FLASH DRIVE!

/10

/10

PRESENTATION DATE: ________________________

HOUSING
General Information

Things to consider

PTS

How houses/families contribute to global warming.


Data/Stats

/5

What can be done to a house to offset these emissions

Green materials, solar panels, two flush toilets, etc

/15

Pricing Information for building a normal home vs. a


green home

Call companies, builders get information

Calculate long term savings

compare electric bills, lighting bills, etc with building


costs

/10

Appearance of slides, vocal delivery, participation by all


member, citation of sources, ability to answer questions

/10

TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS

/50

Power Point Presentation (15 minutes)

EMAIL COPIES OF PRESENTATION THE DAY


BEFORE AND BRING A COPY ON FLASH DRIVE!

/10

PRESENTATION DATE:_________________________

TRANSPORTATION
General Information

What is being done to help lessen these emissions

Things to consider
How are cars, planes, etc contributing to climate change.
Data/Stats
fuel cell cars, electric cats, hybrid vehicles, solar cars,
etc

PTS
/5

/15

What can individuals do to help lesson their car


emissions

discuss how we can help improve the situation

Calculate costs

driving vs using public transport


hybrid vs normal car

/15

Appearance of slides, vocal delivery, participation by all


member, citation of sources, ability to answer questions

/10

TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS

/50

Power Point Presentation (15 minutes)

EMAIL COPIES OF PRESENTATION THE DAY


BEFORE AND BRING A COPY ON FLASH DRIVE!

/5

PRESENTATION DATE: ________________________

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