Patterns

In this modeling exercise, students make predictions about how different factors on Earth might impact climate to learn about the cross-cutting concept “Patterns”.

This modeling exercise leverages the phenomenon of potential extinction (as a result of climate change) to encourage students to explore factors that contribute to climate change. The initial information to show students can be a combination of data from scientific reports (here is an example) matched with pictures of the organisms being impacted. This raises the question as to what is driving the climate changes we are experiencing. Provide a graph of how the climate has changed on Earth over the last 100 years. Then ask students to generate drawn predictions for how different factors (volcanic activity, sunspots, ozone, greenhouse gasses, etc.) are based on different data sources. Then compare this to actual modeled data on how these factors impact planetary temperature.

Suggested Modeling Elements: N/A or Review Library. This modeling exercise suggests a general usage of graphing and data visualization in learning the patterns of climate change. For teachers interested in customizing this exercise further into students' modeling-making, we encourage you to explore the visual library tool and choose the modeling elements/moves that best fit your instructional plan, if applicable.

Suggested Sensemaking Components: Zoom in/out, Flow of Matter, Flow of Energy, Movement/Motion, Temperature