Provided by: King's Centre for Visualization in Science |Published on: April 27, 2021
Graphs/Tables Grades 9-12
Synopsis
In this interactive graph, students can view historical data on the average global temperature and the concentration of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane in the atmosphere.
Students can click the "Show" tab above the graph to view data from the last 800,000 years or data from the last 5,000 years.
Students can click to view data for temperature, CO2, N2O, or methane individually or in any combination on the graph.
Additional Prerequisites
Teachers should note that some data for N2O levels are missing from the graph because the data is not available.
Differentiation
Teachers could ask students to think about the following questions as they compare the graph of the last 800,000 years to the graph of the last 5,000 years:
What do you notice most when you look at the graph showing the last 800,000 years?
What observations can you make from the graph showing the last 800,000 years?
What do you notice most when you look at the graph showing the last 5,000 years?
What observations can you make from the graph showing the last 5,000 years?
Do you think it is more important for scientists to look at very long-term historical climate trends (from the last 800,000 years) or more recent historical climate trends (the last 5,000 years)? Why?
Students in earth science classes could look at the trendlines for each of the atmospheric gases and work with a partner to make a list of causes for the steep increase in each of the gases in recent years.
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
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Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider
King's Centre for Visualization in Science
The King's Centre for Visualization in Science is a research center committed to improving the global public understanding of science through research and the creation and dissemination of peer-reviewed interactive electronic learning tools to see and understand science.
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