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Description
Current and future generations will be forced to deal with the consequences of our Earth’s changing climate. Understanding how life on Earth has been shaped by, depends on and affects climate, is essential for making scientifically informed and socially responsible decisions about our future. Focusing on real-world case studies, this honors level course encourages students to question the cause and effects of climate in the world around them and then explore the science associated behind those questions.
This class focuses student learning on better understanding Earth as a dynamic system and then challenges students to evaluate how certain factors are connected to and ultimately impact this system. The course curriculum is anchored in the scientific investigation of Earth’s energy budget, carbon chemistry, paleoclimatology and climate data sources. Through this science, students have the opportunity to interpret current research and evaluate the latest news and then work together to investigate decision-making processes around public policy that will impact their future.
A major project in this course allows each student to research and evaluate a specific climate change impact story of their choice. Across both terms, course assignments guide students to develop a comprehensive climate report that ultimately can be shared publically. Students are given the opportunity to demonstrate their expertise and advocate for those in their report via public policy proposal as they participate in a climate congress at the end of the course. Students will take away from the course newfound knowledge and confidence that will allow them to communicate about climate issues in meaningful ways.
*Please note this course contains a final exam that will require the student to identify in advance an appropriate location as well as an adult proctor for the exam. Forms and instructions for students to identify a location and proctor are included as a lesson within the course.
Prerequisites
One year of a high school level physical science
Course Objectives
- Understand the essential principles of Earth’s climate system, including the complex interactions that regulate Earth’s climate system and the relationship with Earth’s energy budget.
- Investigate past and present climate systems through observations, data and modeling.
- Understand and apply quantitative models to explain the relationship between changes in the carbon cycle and the impact they have on Earth’s climate systems.
- Learn to question and then apply scientific reasoning to explain how humans may predict and ultimately modify Earth’s dynamic system.
- Communicate about climate and climate change in meaningful ways and evaluate scientific research and current news about climate change.
- Investigate solutions, including individual decision-making as well as public policy, to make informed and responsible decisions that will impact the future of our Earth’s climate system.
Additional Requirements
Google Earth
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Details
Discipline:
Science - Earth and Space Science, Science
Level:
High School Honors
Program:
High School
Grade:
9, 10, 11, 12, 13
When Offered:
Duration:
weeks
Lab Kit Purchase Required:
No
Accredited:
Certified by NCAA for initial-eligibility (VHS Learning School Code:221356), Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools
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