InTeGrate Modules and Courses >Water Science and Society > Student Materials > Module 8.2: Cities in Peril: Future climate change, population growth, and water issues > Climate Change > Formative Assessment 2: Climate Models
InTeGrate's Earth-focused Modules and Courses for the Undergraduate Classroom
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These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
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These student materials complement the Water Science and Society Instructor Materials. If you would like your students to have access to the student materials, we suggest you either point them at the Student Version which omits the framing pages with information designed for faculty (and this box). Or you can download these pages in several formats that you can include in your course website or local Learning Managment System. Learn more about using, modifying, and sharing InTeGrate teaching materials.

Formative Assessment 2: Climate Models

Instructions

In 100-150 words, you are expected to express a succinct, informed response to the question, based on the module content and assigned readings. In most cases there will be no specific correct answer, but your stated position must be supported.

Question

Should we trust climate models? This is a reasonable and important question to consider. There is quite a bit of discussion about this topic on the internet, much of it unsubstantiated. Watch Gavin Schmidt's TED talk on the emergent patterns of climate change and why all climate models are wrong, but can be useful. Gavin Schmidt is a climate scientist at Columbia University and is the Deputy Chief at the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies. Feel free to augment your analysis with additional information such as the recent IPCC report or other sources you deem reliable, but focus your response on Schmidt's talk.

Note: You can also view the video on ted.com if you do not see it embedded above.

Address the following questions in your 150-word essay.

  1. What is Schmidt's main message?
  2. Does he convince you that climate models are indeed 'skillful'? If so, why? If not, what would you need to be convinced that climate models are 'skillful'?
  3. Do you believe that we can/should make greenhouse gas and/or water resource policy decisions based on current climate models? Why or why not?

Submitting your Answers

(online) Submit in Canvas
(blended) Bring your typed and printed answers to class.

Scoring and Rubric

Each answer will earn a maximum of 25 points, as described in the rubric below.

Rubric
Work ShownPossible Points
Provides a well-reasoned response to the question posed10
Uses correct grammar, spelling, and sentence structure5
Includes one or more references to specific materials in Module or assigned reading5
Appropriate length (100-150 words)5

These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
Explore the Collection »