Week 14: Global Climate Change

 1. What did you do in the lab this week? This week, we looked at climate change and how it is affecting our Earth. Then we did an experiment on PHET about photon absorption. Lastly, we learned about greenhouse gases and applied that to our experiment. 

2. What was the big question? How do greenhouse gas levels impact temperature? 

3. What did you learn in the discussion this week? 

  • High CO₂ is linked to reduced learning outcomes.

  • Consequences of warming: glaciers melt → sea level rise → coastal flooding.

  • Polar regions act as reflectors (albedo); melting reduces reflection → more heat absorbed.

  • True/False items: human fault, methane sources, burning oil/coal, etc.

  • Differences between the current climate change vs. past warm periods.

  • Continental vs. sea ice melting impacts.

  • Seasonal ice melt impacts.

  • CO₂ changes and temperature changes.

  • Positive feedback loop: melting ice → more dark ocean exposed → more absorption → more melting.

  • Grass fields cool via transpiration; turf fields exceed 100°F.

  • Phoenix example: pavement retains heat → hotter city temps.

  • The albedo effect influences the global climate.

  • Snowball Earth concept: feedback loops can cool/warm the planet.

Online Chapter:

1. What did you learn? I learned how climate change impacts ice melt, albedo, CO₂ levels, and feedback loops.

2. What was most helpful? The examples of classroom CO₂ levels and the Switzerland climate test made concepts concrete.

3. What questions do you have? How can we better connect scientific data on CO₂ and albedo to everyday classroom teaching?

4. What comments/concerns do you have? N/A

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