Earth's Thermostat

Allison Dunn (Worcester State University)
Robert MacKay (Clark College)
Phillip Resor (Wesleyan University)
Editor: David McConnell (North Carolina State University)

This material was developed and reviewed through the InTeGrate curricular materials development process. (view details)

This material was developed and reviewed through the InTeGrate curricular materials development process. This rigorous, structured process includes:

team-based development to ensure materials are appropriate across multiple educational settings.
multiple iterative reviews and feedback cycles through the course of material development with input to the authoring team from both project editors and an external assessment team.
real in-class testing of materials in at least 3 institutions with external review of student assessment data.
multiple reviews to ensure the materials meet the InTeGrate materials rubric which codifies best practices in curricular development, student assessment and pedagogic techniques.
review by external experts for accuracy of the science content.

Initial Publication Date: November 18, 2016

Summary

Climate change is one of the most critical issues facing society today. IPCC reports state that warming of the climate system is unequivocal, yet the the underlying solar, atmospheric, cryospheric, and oceanic processes governing Earth's climate remain poorly understood by the public at large (IPCC, 2013; 2023). Our module seeks to bridge this gap in knowledge by helping students understand Earth's energy balance and climate, its sensitivity to changes in its drivers, and how it interacts with Earth's other systems with a data- and model-driven approach.

Strengths of the Module

Students work with with real geoscience data to investigate changes in Earth's climate and the factors affecting Earth's energy balance.
Students build a conceptual model to predict how Earth's climate would respond to a catastrophic volcanic eruption in the module capstone.
Students interpret and create graphs and maps of key climate variables to evaluate patterns, trends, and physical processes.
Students become truly engaged in group work, looking at real data, and developing stories/explanations of what the data suggest.
The interactive engagement encouraged by these activities make them exciting learning experiences for both students and instructor.

A great fit for courses in:

Atmospheric Science
Earth Science
Environmental Science
Environmental Studies
Global Change
Meteorology
Physical Geography
Sustainability Science

Show me more about fitting this material into my course

This module is designed for introductory or intermediate students who are potential earth science majors, undecided, or general education students at a variety of university-level institutions. These materials have been used as a two-week module in geoscience and and atmospheric science courses. However, any of the activities could be used independently. Activities can be used in class or lab, as homework, or online with small or large classes. Most of the activities demonstrate and give students experience working with real data. Recent examples are used, and many links to data sources are given so future instructors can adapt the materials with the latest examples. Materials are designed with particular emphasis on societal relevance.

Show key literacies and societal issues addressed in this module

Supported community developed, nationally recognized Earth Science Literacy Principles:

Earth Science Literacy Big Idea 1: Earth scientists use repeatable observations and testable ideas to understand and explain our planet.
Earth Science Literacy Big Idea 3: Earth is a complex system of interacting rock, water, air, and life.
Earth Science Literacy Big Idea 4 and Atmospheric principle 4: Earth is continuously changing.
Earth Science Literacy Big Idea 5: Earth is the water planet.
Earth Science Literacy Big Idea 9: Humans significantly alter Earth when they look at changing risks as population and infrastructure increase.

Supported community developed, nationally recognized Climate Science Literacy Essential Principles:

Climate Science Literacy Essential Principle 1: The Sun is the primary source of energy for Earth's climate system.
Climate Science Literacy Essential Principle 2: Climate is regulated by complex interactions among components of the Earth system.
Climate Science Literacy Essential Principle 3: Life on Earth depends on, is shaped by, and affects climate.
Climate Science Literacy Essential Principle 4: Climate varies over space and time through both natural and man-made processes.
Climate Science Literacy Essential Principle 5: Our understanding of the climate system is improved through observations, theoretical studies, and modeling.
Climate Science Literacy Essential Principle 6: Human activities are impacting the climate system.
Climate Science Literacy Essential Principle 7: Climate change will have consequences for the Earth system and human lives.

Addressed community developed, nationally recognized Atmospheric Science Literacy Principles:

Atmospheric Science Literacy Principle 1: Earth has a thin atmosphere that sustains life.
Atmospheric Science Literacy Principle 2: Energy from the Sun drives atmospheric processes.
Atmospheric Science Literacy Principle 3: Atmospheric circulation transports matter and energy.
Atmospheric Science Literacy Principle 4: Earth's atmosphere changes over time and space, giving rise to weather.
Atmospheric Science Literacy Principle 5: Earth's atmosphere continually interacts with other components of the Earth system.
Atmospheric Science Literacy Principle 6: We seek to understand the past, present, and future behavior of Earth's atmosphere through scientific observation and reasoning.
Atmospheric Science Literacy Principle 7: Earth's atmosphere and humans are inextricably linked.

Instructor Stories: How this module was adapted
for use at several institutions »