Week 13: Climate Data

The big question addressed in lab, and a description of what you did.

In lab, we discussed our takeaways from Before the Flood, and what we thought surprised us in our groups and as a class. Then, we discussed in groups why helping students learn how to read data is so important. Our group thought that data helps students create solutions and informed decisions about specific topics in the future. We used a mini lesson plan of telling our students we were going to do an ice cream party, but we needed to know everyone's favorite ice cream. We would collect data about everyone's favorite flavors, and then use that data to make a bar graph. This helps data become relevant to the students and it intrigues them. 

A description of what you learned in Thursday's lecture.

In lecture, we talked more about climate change and how to inform others about it. We discussed how to spot a legit source. We also learned about convection currents in the ocean and how it can affect sea level and melting glaciers. 

Answer questions about the weekly textbook reading:

What did you learn? I learned about greenhouse gases and why there are the molecules that can be found in the make-up of the atmosphere. Their vibrations and asymmetrical shape cause them to absorb infrared radiation from the Sun and release it into the atmosphere to keep the planet warm. The greenhouse effect is the process that happens when the greenhouse gases trap heat. 

What was most helpful? I liked the animation about the greenhouse effect and how it is demonstrated to reflect or absorb the radiation. The relation of albedo to wearing a black versus white shirt was also a good parallel to help me conceptualize this. 

What do you need more information on? I would like to know if there is a way to undo the greenhouse effect that made the world too hot. Is there a way to lessen those gases and rewind the heat? 

What questions/concerns/comments do you have? I'm confused on what is going to causing the most damage to the Earth. Is it the greenhouse gases? Is it the lack of recycling? Is it the rising sea levels? Is it the heavy rainfall?