This workshop is designed to help students develop critical data analysis skills by examining climate science. Understanding the Earth's climate and the factors influencing global climate is a foundational concept in an introductory geology course. This workshop emphasizes the interpretation of real-world data and the exploration of systems-level solutions to climate challenges.

To make climate data more relatable, students will examine creative ways to present climate data to students in an accurate, but non-threatening format. This hands-on approach fosters a personal connection to the data and encourages curiosity. Following this, students participate in group discussions to share observations, clarify misconceptions, and deepen their understanding of climate controls and data collection methods.   Discussion and learning about global climate can leave students asking what can be done to address climate concerns.  The use of the En-ROADS climate simulator allows students to engage with science data. This interactive tool encourages exploration of how changes in energy sources, transportation, agriculture, deforestation, and policy decisions affect global climate outcomes. Through guided exploration, students analyze the impact of these variables on temperature, sea level, health, and other climate indicators.  This action can help students develop a broader understanding of global climate and the costs and benefits of different climate policies.