1. Classroom Tools to Explore Past, Present, and Future Climate Change
Sandra Henderson and Lisa Gardiner
Roberta Johnson, Randy Russell,
David Mastie, and Becca Hatheway
UCAR Office of Education and Outreach

2. Commonly Accepted Definitions
Weather
Climate
refers to the current atmospheric conditions (including temperature, precipitation, wind, humidity, barometric pressure) at a particular time and place.
refers to the general weather patterns expected in a given area (sometimes based on the 30 year average weather). Climate may also be applied more generally to large-scale weather patterns in time or space (e.g., an Ice Age climate or a tropical climate).
Or, in the words of a middle school student….
"climate tells you what clothes to buy, but weather tells you what clothes to wear."

3. What tools do scientists use to study past, present, and future climates?
Recent past – weather records
Distant past – ‘proxy data’– fossils, ice cores, tree rings, pollen
Sensors on satellites,
sensors on towers
Computer models

4. Globally-averaged temperature over the past 140 years

5. Concentration of Carbon Dioxide (CO2 )
Mauna Loa, Hawaii

6. Between 1990 and 2100 global temperature are likely to rise 1. 7 to 4
Between 1990 and 2100 global temperature are likely to rise 1.7 to 4.9 C ( F).
Likely effects:
Droughts
Extreme storms
Wildfires
Vegetation changes
Melting ice
Rise in sea level

7. Between 1990 and 2100 global temperature are likely to rise 1. 7 to 4
Between 1990 and 2100 global temperature are likely to rise 1.7 to 4.9 C ( F).
Likely effects:
Droughts
Extreme storms
Wildfires
Vegetation changes
Melting ice
Rise in sea level

8. Mapping Ancient Coastlines Classroom Activity

9. Mapping Ancient Coastlines Classroom Activity

10. The Paleoclimates and Pollen Activity
Materials for each small group:
Sample of each ‘sediment’ layer (1 – 5)
Pie pan and toothpicks
Student Handout sheet

11. Carbon Dioxide – Sources and Sinks Activity
Materials for each small group:
Test tube rack and 4 test tubes
1 – vinegar
2 – BTB
1 – covered in foil
One hole stopper with tubing
Cotton ball
Baking soda and vinegar
Aluminum foil
Straws

12. Climate Education Resources National Center for Atmospheric Research University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Windows to the Universe
Project LEARN
NCAR Kids’ Crossing
Climate Discovery Teacher’s Guide
GLOBE Teacher’s Guide: Earth as a System Chapter

13. Sandra Henderson sandrah@ucar.edu
Lisa Gardiner