California Climate: Pacific Ocean Connection

Vincent Devlahovich
,
Geology College of the Canyons
Author Profile
Initial Publication Date: March 25, 2010

Summary

I use this lesson as a group assignment in my Earth Science classes. In the face-to-face and field studies classes, the groups present their findings/and recommendations to the class on the last meeting day.

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Context

Audience

Transfer level, undergraduate Earth Science. This course articulates to both California State Universities and the University of California schools.

Skills and concepts that students must have mastered

They must have some basic Earth Systems knowledge about the hydrosphere, atmosphere and lithosphere. They get this in the first month of the course and then I give them the assignment.

How the activity is situated in the course

Culminating project.

Goals

Content/concepts goals for this activity

To synthesize Earth Systems thinking to solve a state issue.

Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity

See above.

Other skills goals for this activity

Group presentation.

Description of the activity/assignment

This project describes a real-case senario of a decade of drought and warming in California. The students synthesize this information and then give a report of their findings to the governor.

Determining whether students have met the goals

We are developing a rubric for this project-based assignment.

More information about assessment tools and techniques.

Teaching materials and tips

Other Materials

Supporting references/URLs