-
Process scientific information related to climate (climate literacy)
Assessment Strategies
Skill demonstration throughout the class
Criteria
synthesize scientific information
produce accurate interpretations of scientific information gathered for a task
determine value of scientific information, critically assessing its relevance and credibility
seek additional information after recognizing the need for more clarification or support
evaluate the usefulness of varied scientific approaches
compare different points of view, considering them impartially and rationally
-
Examine the differences between weather and climate
Assessment Strategies
Written product, quiz
Criteria
differentiate between climate and weather events
examine key characteristics of a climate event
examine key characteristics of a weather event
identify at least three ways in which climate events differ from weather events
identify at least three ways in which climate events are similar to weather events
scientific vocabulary is used accurately
-
Analyze how Climate Normals change with time
Assessment Strategies
Written product, quiz
Criteria
describe how Climate Normals are computed
list ways in which Climate Normals change
describe the impact of land-use change on temperature and local regional climate
illustrate the effect of a historical event which impacted a regional climate
scientific vocabulary is used accurately
-
Illustrate the role of solar forcing on the terrestrial climate
Assessment Strategies
Written product, quiz
Criteria
describe the effect of Milankovitch Cycles
define temperature controls and feedbacks in the Arctic/Antarctic
identify elements of Orbital/Solar controls of temperature
summarize land-based forcings of surface temperature at Poles
scientific-related vocabulary is used accurately
-
Classify different climatic regimes found on Earth
Assessment Strategies
Written product, quiz
Criteria
specify items that present challenges in classification of climatic regimes
specify defining characteristics of the categories within climatic regimes
sort regimes using Koeppen and other climate classification schemes
scientific vocabulary is used accurately
-
Evaluate the impact of water vapor and carbon dioxide gases in climate forcing
Assessment Strategies
Written product, quiz
Criteria
determine causes of Greenhouse forcing related to radiative processes in the atmosphere
account for different Greenhouse Gases in the atmosphere and how their concentrations have changed over time
correlate how carbon dioxide, water vapor, and other gases maintain terrestrial temperatures
clarify how carbon dioxide has changed in the recent decade, century, millennium, and epoch
offer a recommendation on a workable way to reduce Greenhouse Gases
describe how pH is controlled in the Ocean
summarize the implications of changing the Ocean’s pH on the oceanic biosphere
relate effects of ocean pH changes to increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide
scientific vocabulary is used accurately
-
Explore cycles in the atmosphere/lithosphere/hydrosphere that pertain to climate and climate change
Assessment Strategies
Written product, quiz
Criteria
process scientific information related to climate (climate literacy)
identify how different Atmospheric Oscillations can influence a location’s climate
describe the influence of Oscillations on one point on the Globe
describe how temperature and gas concentration are extracted from ice corings
scientific vocabulary is used accurately
-
Assess the impact of climate regulators and feedbacks
Assessment Strategies
Written product, quiz
Criteria
process scientific information related to climate (climate literacy)
differentiate between regulators and feedback
identify Feedback mechanisms that exist in the climate
summarize how climate can be regulated
scientific vocabulary is used accurately
-
Configure Climate Models
Assessment Strategies
Model, quiz
Criteria
select parameters to include in a simple climate model
compare parameterized features with simulated features in a Climate Model
interpret model output
report model output within permissible tolerance of errors
scientific vocabulary is used accurately
-
Explore recent changes in climate and the reasons behind the changes
Assessment Strategies
Written product, quiz
Criteria
summarize recent changes in climate
specify how recent changes may have occurred
compare and contrast future climate scenarios
scientific vocabulary is used accurately
-
Evaluate methods to mitigate anthropogenic climate forcing
Assessment Strategies
Written product
Criteria
define mitigation
compare different mitigation methods such as sequestration and emission reduction
specify mitigation strategies that would lessen the impact of anthropogenic climate forcing
determine feasibility of policy change using facts
scientific vocabulary is used correctly
-
Analyze past, present, and future climates of a location
Assessment Strategies
Project
Criteria
project includes an 8-10 page paper on the past, present, and future climate of one location
discuss aspects of the climate now and in the future (e.g., USDA Plant Zones, the land surface properties, climate zones, etc.)
relate the station to its position within the General Circulation
scientific vocabulary is used accurately