This assignment addresses the Common Core Objectives of this course with respect to developing Critical Thinking, Communication, Empirical and Quantitative Skills.

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Understanding the Science of Climate Change

This assignment addresses the Common Core Objectives of this course with respect to

developing Critical Thinking, Communication, Empirical and Quantitative Skills. Teamwork

skills will be addressed by other assignments.

ASSIGNMENT: Write a Scientific Report on Global Climate Change 1. Research Climate Science.

2. Answer specific questions asked below. Document 1 – Answers to questions 1 through 6,

numbered, in complete sentences. 3. Write a summary report of what you learned from the project. Document 2 – Essay Summary

a. Present data in an appropriate format, either in data table(s), graph(s), or both.

b. Analyze the data and draw conclusions from the data.

c. Your report should be in MLA format, including references, and 800 – 1000 words.

4. Complete the “Team Member Rating Form” posted on eCampus along with the project

instructions.

5. Submit an electronic copy of the three documents (answers, report and the rating form) through

eCampus. Save the three documents in the same folder on your computer, and when uploading

select all three files so that they are uploaded all at once.

Questions to be answered:

In addition to your essay, you must answer the following questions. Read each question

carefully and answer each question thoroughly, providing support and explanation for your

answer. Your answers should reflect college-level writing and should be written in complete

sentences, using correct grammar and sentence structure. (Letters following questions, i.e., CT1,

QL3, are for graders use only.)

A. Go to the website: http://www.explainingclimatechange.ca/. Your answers to the following questions, should come from the website, not Google, Wikipedia, etc.

1. Complete Lessons 1 and 2. What is the difference between ‘climate change’ and ‘global warming’? Which term is most appropriate to describe our current global climate challenges, and why? CT1

2. Until 250 years ago, the highest rate of temperature increase recorded was approximately 0.003°C per year. For the last 10 years, the rate of temperature change has been approximately 0.017°C per year. For each of these two rates (historical and current), how long would it take for temperature to change by 1°C? QL3

3. Complete Lessons 3 and 4. What is ‘the greenhouse effect’ and what is its role in climate changes? CT1

4. Go to Lesson 5, Key Idea 1. Open the Climate Trends learning tool. Go to the last 250 years and click the Temperature tab to access the slope tool. Use this to determine the http://www.explainingclimatechange.ca/http://www.explainingclimatechange.ca/Climate%20Change/Lessons/Lesson%202/lesson2.html

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rate of temperature change over the past 250 years. Which has a greater rate of temperature increase, the current period of warming or the warming of the PETM (Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum)? QL1

5. In the Climate Trends learning tool, notice that the concentration of carbon dioxide in the last 50 years has been determined by air sampling. This data demonstrates regular concentration oscillations, rising and falling each year. How can this yearly variation of concentration be explained? QL4

6. Do you agree with the following statement: “The main question is not whether mankind

is contributing to global warming (we are), but how big of an effect are we having and

what will be the eventual outcome?” Explain why or why not. CT4

B. In addition to answering the questions, write an essay (800 – 1000 words) that summarizes what you learned about Climate Change.

Additional Details:

Your report should be a complete and comprehensive analysis of climate change, with a basis

in evidence discovered in your research. An outline of your essay might look like this:

I. Introduction

II. Background information

III. Presentation of data

IV. Analysis of data using appropriate mathematical tools

V. Conclusions

Required Elements for a successful essay include:

 REQUIRED TOPIC: Science of Climate Change

 REQUIRED LENGTH: Minimum 2 pages; maximum 3 pages (800 – 1000 words)

This is in addition to your answers to the questions

 REQUIRED FORMAT: Typewritten, 12-pt font, double-spaced, MLA format to

reference sources; quotes must be cited

 REQUIRED LAYOUT: Minimum 5 paragraphs; see outline above

 REQUIRED DATA ANALYSIS: Data presented either in tables or graphs or both

 REQUIRED SUBMISSION: Submit through eCampus assignment link

 REQUIRED DISCUSSION: Demonstrate critical thinking, quantitative

literacy and communication skills

 REQUIRED REFERENCES: See list of approved materials below

Reference Materials:

You may use books, major news magazines, scientific journals, and credible scientific

magazines such as Scientific American as resources. Internet resources are less reliable in

general, so only the following websites are acceptable online sources of information. http://www.explainingclimatechange.ca/Climate%20Change/Lessons/Lesson%202/lesson2.html

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http://www.explainingclimatechange.ca/

http://climate.nasa.gov/

http://skepticalscience.com/

If you are unsure about whether a source is acceptable, please check with your instructor.

Grading Rubric:

The following grading rubric will be used to assess student work:

Questions (15 pts)

+5 Grammar, spelling, complete sentences

+10 Answered questions thoroughly

Topic & Title (10 pts)

+5 Indicates content

+5 Interesting

Length & Format (10 pts)

+2 2-pg minimum (800 words) to 3-pg maximum (1000 words)

+2 5 paragraph minimum

+5 Includes appropriate data table(s) or graph(s)

References & Citations (10 pts)

+5 Citation of quotes

+5 MLA format works cited page

Discussion (35 pts)

+5 Introductory paragraph – Thesis statement, interesting lead-in http://www.explainingclimatechange.ca/http://climate.nasa.gov/http://skepticalscience.com/

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+10 Analysis of data on climate change; contribution of human activity

+15 Extended body (min 3 para) – clear explanations, interesting details, specific refs

+5 Concluding para – ties together, shows relevant application to topic, what you learned

Grammar (10 pts)

+5 Clear logical wording, sentence variety, descriptive nouns & verbs, modifiers

+5 Free of run-on sentences, fragments, pronoun ref errors, shifts in tense or pronouns, wrong words, etc.

Spelling (10 pts) Use spell checker; spelling errors are inexcusable

Rubric for Assessment:

You will be expected to demonstrate a level of mastery of certain skills associated with critical

thinking (CT), empirical and quantitative literacy (QL), and written communication (WC). The

following is a list of items that will be assessed:

 Explanation of issues (CT1): State climate change issues clearly and describe comprehensively. Define terms used.

 Evidence (CT2): Develop a comprehensive analysis. Question viewpoints of experts.

 Influence of context and assumptions (CT3): Thoroughly analyze your own and others’ assumptions and carefully evaluate the relevance of contexts.

 Student’s position (CT4): Consider complexities of the issue. Acknowledge limits of your position. Synthesize others’ points of view.

 Conclusions (CT5): Make logical conclusions that reflect informed evaluation.

 Interpretation (QL1): Provide accurate explanations of information presented in mathematical forms. Make appropriate inferences based on that information.

 Representation (QL2): Convert relevant information into an insightful mathematical portrayal in a way that contributes to deeper understanding.

 Calculation (QL3): Calculations should be successful and sufficiently comprehensive to solve the problem. Present calculations clearly and concisely.

 Application / Analysis (QL4): Use the quantitative analysis of data as the basis for thoughtful judgments, drawing carefully qualified conclusions.

 Assumptions (QL5): Describe assumptions and provide compelling rationale for each. Show awareness that confidence in final conclusions is limited by accuracy of assumptions.

 Communication (QL6): Use quantitative information in connection with your argument. Present it in an effective format, and explicate it with consistently high quality.

 Context of and Purpose for Writing (WC1): Demonstrate understanding of context, audience, and purpose that focuses all elements of the work.

 Content Development (WC2): Use appropriate, relevant, and compelling content to illustrate mastery of the subject, shaping the whole work.

 Genre and Disciplinary Conventions (WC3): Demonstrate attention to and execution of a wide range of conventions, including organization, content, presentation, formatting, and stylistic

choices.

 Sources and Evidence (WC4): Demonstrate skillful use of high-quality, credible, relevant sources to develop ideas that are appropriate.

 Control of Syntax and Mechanics (WC5): Use language that communicates meaning to readers with clarity and fluency, virtually error-free.