Project 1 - Global Warming: The Community's Understanding

 
 

Dates:

DATE TBD

Timeline:

2-3 class periods; most work is done outside of class

Rationale:

Public opinion dramatically affects public policy - - and the Future Earth Institute needs your help in determining what your community already knows about global warming and where the community needs to be informed. The Project is designed to answer several questions that will aid the Institute’s ongoing public communication tools and activities:

  • What is the general public’s understanding of the mechanisms causing climate change?
  • What is the level of the general public’s perception of the threat of climate change?
  • How well do the Institute’s activities meet the needs of the general public?
  • What changes and/or new instruments of communication need to be undertaken by the Institute?

In this mini-research project, students will survey adults in their community about global warming. Each student will be responsible for surveying approximately 10 adults using the questionnaire prepared by FEI. Your school will be responsible for tabulating survey results and sending those statistics to FEI. After all schools have reported, the data will be combined and made available for discussion. We will discuss the findings during our videoconference ‘check-in’ in March!

Objectives:

  • Students will apply the scientific method to conduct real field research
  • Students will construct graphs to interpret real data
  • Students will prepare presentations based on their data and interpretations

 PA Standards:

 Academic Standards for Science and Technology

3.2.4.A – Identify and use the nature of scientific and technological knowledge

3.2.7.A – Explain and apply scientific and technological knowledge

3.2.7.B – Apply process knowledge to make and interpret observations

3.2.4.C – Recognize and use the elements of scientific inquiry to solve problems

3.2.7.C – Identify and use the elements of scientific inquiry to solve problems

Academic Standards for Mathematics

2.4.5.C – Draw inductive and deductive conclusions within mathematical contexts.

2.4.5.F – Use statistics to quantify issues (e.g. in social students, in science).

2.5.5.C – Show ideas in a variety of ways, including words, numbers, symbols, pictures, charts, graphs, tables, diagrams and models.

2.6.5.A – Organize and display data using pictures, tallies, tables, charts, bar graphs and circle graphs.

Steps:

  • Introduce students to the concept of data collection and why FEI needs this data. As a class, investigate how the scientific method will be applied in this research endeavor.
  • Distribute 10 copies of the survey to each student. Tell students that they can survey the following people: parents, parents’ friends, neighbors, siblings/relatives over the age of 18, teachers, administrators
  • Give students 48 hours to complete the surveying process
  • As a class, tabulate survey results and send them to FEIBecker@aol.com
  • Divide students into groups and have each group construct a different type of graph (bar graph, pie chart, etc.) based on the data
  • Post all graphs for students to see and discuss findings with your students. You may want to reflect on how the scientific method was used in this process.
  • Choose one graph to show during the next videoconference meeting. Make sure students are prepared to explain what the graph shows and what conclusions your class makes from the data.
  • Make sure students are prepared for Building Models, Videoconference Check-In.

Hand Outs:

Discussion Questions:

  • What does this data mean to you?
  • Based on your findings, what do adults already know about global warming?
  • What do adults need to know about global warming?
  • How can FEI inform the community about global warming?
  • What can your class do to inform your parents, school, and community about global warming?
  • What can your community do to help combat global warming?
  • How did this research project follow the scientific method?
  • Reflect on the research gathering process. What have you learned about this process? What challenges did you face? How could the process be improved?
 

 

How does FEI address the scientific method?

The Institute has set up its hypothesis as a statement to be proved or disproved: The general public has a poor understanding of the concepts of Global Warming and Global Change. Either proving or disproving this hypothesis will allow the Institute to create timely and appropriate products and public presentations in order to give the public useful information. The results of the project will be obtained by a survey of individuals whose responses represent the measurable data. The students and questionnaires represent the methodology for obtaining raw data. The people completing the questionnaires is the test group; the need for a control group is not anticipated at this time but if it were set up it would consist of degreed adults in the college and university community whose understanding of the Global Change crisis is quite high.
     
© MAGPI 2006