Dr. Jim Miller presented his research at the September 19, 2012 Ocean Lecture & Educators’ Night. Dr. Miller discussed how climate change is impacting the Arctic, how extreme weather events relate to the Arctic and sea ice extent, and how climate change is a topic that spans all subject areas in science and beyond. Following the lecture, we shared lesson plans related to climate change and natural resources as well as discussed how to bring these topics into your classrooms/clubs.
Below we have included a summary of Dr. Miller, Background Materials, the evening’s broadcast, the .pdf of the science presentation, and adapted Lesson Plans to teach on the topics of Climate Change and Natural Resources.
Enjoy! The East Coast MARE Team
Dr. Jim Miller
Dr. Jim Miller –
Dr. Jim Miller is a Professor in the Department of Marine & Coastal Sciences at Rutgers University. He uses a combination of observations and global climate models to understand how water will both impact and be impacted by future climate change. This includes predicting future changes in water resources, river flow and temperature, permafrost, Arctic climate, and climate in mountainous regions. Two recent projects involve the analysis of climate feedbacks in the Arctic region and in two high altitude regions–the Tibetan Plateau and the San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado. Another interest of his is on the impact of future changes in river flow and temperature on ecosystems, with a recent focus on the Fraser River salmon fishery in British Columbia. Come to the event to learn more!
Background Materials-
We will compile the following materials as optional background information if you wish to read about the topics that were covered during the event and included in the adapted lesson plans below.
Climate Change: What and How
Science Presentation & Evening Program-
If you are interested in watching the broadcast of the event, click here: https://www.ustream.tv/recorded/25531958
If you are interested in downloading the presentation slides, click here: Dr. Miller’s Presentation
Lesson Plans-
In addition to the lesson plans that we write specifically for the event, we compile previous lesson plans to incorporate the climate change and natural resources information that will be presented during Dr. Miller’s talk into your classroom.
New Jersey Temperature Over Time: Scientists use multiple collecting stations around the world to gather temperature data to look at changes in surface temperatures over time. Using these data, scientists look for trends and patterns as well as anomalies to determine what is happening with surface temperatures on Earth and make predictions of what will happen in the future. (Middle & High School) * You may need the data file as well: New Brunswick Surface Temperature Data 5.4.6.F.1 – Weather is the result of short-term variations in temperature, humidity, and air pressure. Temperature – Weather vs. Climate: Scientists look at temperature data across a range of time scales to look for patterns in the weather and climate and to make predictions of what will happen in the future. (Elementary & Middle School) 5.4.2.F.1- Current weather conditions include air movement, clouds, and precipitation. Weather conditions affect our daily lives.Climate Change Data Lesson Plans:
5.4.6.F.2 – Climate is the result of long-term patterns of temperature and precipitation.
5.4.12.F.2 – Climate is determined by energy transfer from the Sun at and near Earth’s surface.
5.4.4.F.1 – Weather changes that occur from day to day and across the seasons can be measured and documented using basic instruments such as a thermometer, wind vane, anemometer, and rain gauge.
5.4.6.F.1 – Weather is the result of short-term variations in temperature, humidity, and air pressure.
5.4.6.F.2 – Climate is the result of long-term patterns of temperature and precipitation.
Evidence of Climate Change: Students will rotate around 4 stations, 3 of which show evidence of climate change and one of which (station c: Antarctica) does not. At the end of the session, the students must determine which of the stations did not provide evidence to support climate change. (Middle & High School) 5.4.6.F.2 – Climate is the result of long-term patterns of temperature and precipitation. Antarctica Melting: COSEE NOW developed a 4-part series on climate change and Antarctica. Each part includes a narrated slideshow interviewing scientists and accompanying lesson plan. Three of the lesson plans are especially relevant to the information covered in the Ocean Lecture. Act I: A Changing Continent / Melting Glaciers: Students investigate the conditions in the past, present, and future in Antarctica in an experiment to explore what will happen as temperatures continue to increase in the Antarctic Peninsula. (Middle & High School) 5.4.6.F.2 – Climate is the result of long-term patterns of temperature and precipitation. Act II: A Small World After All / Antarctic Food Web: Students run models of possible impacts to marine life as the amount of sea ice is reduced because of climate change. (Middle & High School) 5.3.6.C.1 – Various human activities have changed the capacity of the environment to support some life forms. Act III: An Adelie Exit / A Collaborative Investigation of Climate Change: Students teach each other about the many factors involved in the climate change of the western Antarctic, looking at Penguins, and then they work together to derive a connection among those factors. (Middle & High School) 5.3.6.C.1 – Various human activities have changed the capacity of the environment to support some life forms. Impacts of Climate Change on Fish: Students will learn that since they are cold blooded, fish must move their habitat to respond to increasing or decreasing water temperatures. (Middle School) * You will need the presentation as well: Presentation & Playing Cards 5.3.6.C.1 – Various human activities have changed the capacity of the environment to support some life forms. Consequences of Melting Glaciers: Students will learn how the melting of glaciers will increase sea level and cause the ocean to move farther and farther on land. (Elementary & Middle School) 5.4.6.F.2 – Climate is the result of long-term patterns of temperature and precipitation. Changes Close to Home: Students use interview techniques to explore perceptions about local climate change from long-time residents of their community. (Elementary & Middle School) 5.4.2.F.1- Current weather conditions include air movement, clouds, and precipitation. Weather conditions affect our daily lives.Evidence of and Impacts from Climate Change Lesson Plans:
5.4.12.F.2 – Climate is determined by energy transfer from the Sun at and near Earth’s surface.
5.4.12.F.2 – Climate is determined by energy transfer from the Sun at and near Earth’s surface.
5.3.12.C.2 – Stability in an ecosystem can be disrupted by natural or human interactions.
5.3.12.C.2 – Stability in an ecosystem can be disrupted by natural or human interactions.
5.3.6.C.2 – The number of organisms and populations an ecosystem can support depends on the biotic resources available and on abiotic factors, such as quantities of light and water, range of temperatures, and soil composition.
5.4.12.F.2 – Climate is determined by energy transfer from the Sun at and near Earth’s surface.
5.4.6.F.2 – Climate is the result of long-term patterns of temperature and precipitation.
World Climate: A Computer-Simulation-Based Role-Playing Exercise: Students role-playing climate simulation that gives groups a chance to experience how to negotiate a global agreement to mitigate climate change. (High School) 5.1.12.D.1 – Science involves practicing productive social interactions with peers, such as partner talk, whole-group discussions, and small-group work. Timeline Clothesline: Students will learn about the scope of climate study and will come to the realization that the Earth has a natural climate variability. (Middle School) 5.4.6.F.2 – Climate is the result of long-term patterns of temperature and precipitation. Carbon Dioxide Game: Students learn the greenhouse effect – how CO2 in the atmosphere traps heat and insulates the Earth and how increasing the amount of atmospheric CO2 contributes to climate change. (Middle School) 5.4.6.F.2 – Climate is the result of long-term patterns of temperature and precipitation. Solar Radiation & Warming Temperatures: Students will explore how seasons influence their local climate. (Elementary & Middle School) 5.4.4.E.1 – Land, air, and water absorb the Sun’s energy at different rates. Heat Retention vs. Reflection: Students will collect data to determine how the amount of heat at a location changes, utilize mapping skills, and explore how the type of surface can impact heat retention (i.e. heat islands) and reflection (i.e. the albedo effect). (Elementary & Middle School) 5.4.4.E.1 – Land, air, and water absorb the Sun’s energy at different rates.Climate Change Basics Lesson Plans:
5.1.12.D.2 – Science involves using language, both oral and written, as a tool for making thinking public.
5.4.8.A.2 – Earth’s tilt, rotation, and revolution around the Sun cause changes in the height and duration of the Sun in the sky. These factors combine to explain the changes in the length of the day and seasons.
5.4.6.F.1 – Weather is the result of short-term variations in temperature, humidity, and air pressure.
Other Climate Change Education Resources