The goal of this lesson is to help students visualize global temperature change throughout the years and make a connection between global temperatures and global sea level rise. Students can use the visualization tools linked under resources to get a visual of what has happened over time to temperature. Have students use the csv file loaded into CODAP to create a graph of annual global mean sea level over change to analyze the connection. Students can then overlay Annual anomaly sea level temperature to see what the sea temperature was at various sea levels throughout history. The "CODAP Data and Graph" view is intended as a teacher solution for students to check their graphs against.
Once students have discussed the cause of sea level rise, they can discuss the effects of that change over time. The Sea Level Rise simulator can be used to visualize how sea level rise may affect certain geographic regions.
Annual Anomaly Sea Level Temperature and Global Mean Sea Level 1880-2009.csv (data provided by NASA-JPL)
CODAP Data and Graph (Teacher Solution in CODAP)
Performance Expectations
MS-ESS2-4
Develop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth's systems driven by energy from the sun and the force of gravity.
MS-ESS3-5
Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century.
Science and Engineering Practices
Developing and Using Models
Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Disciplinary Core Ideas
ESS2.A: Earth’s Materials and Systems
ESS2.C: The Roles of Water in Earth's Surface Processes
Crosscutting Concepts
Energy and Matter
Lesson created by Marschal Fazio and Jason Brown
CSV File Data provided by NASA-JPL
The global temperature has changed approximately 5 degrees Celsius over time. To help students feel and observe what this means, use one or all of the suggested activities below.
Room Temperature
Have students record how they feel at your normal room temperature.
Raise the thermostat 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
When the new room temperature has been achieved, ask students to make a second set about their comfort levels and how they feel.
Water With Ice
Set out two beakers with water
Place one beaker on a hot plate
Gently heat the water until a 5 degree Celsius difference is achieved
Drop an ice cube in each glass
Ask students to observe how the cubes react
Water
Set out 2 or more beakers of water
Heat or cool each beaker until there is a 5 degree Celsius difference between the beginning and ending beakers.
Have students place a hand in each beaker to feel the change in each beaker.