Please take this pre-test before you begin working in the course. The test will help students and teachers see how much we learn. Once you are done, complete the course step by step by following the directions as you go. Once you have completed the course, please take the post-test and lets see how much you learned through the process. Enjoy the class and remember, as with any on-line class, the more effort you put in to your work, the more you will learn.
Let's get started learning about climate. To begin, watch the video in this section. You will learn what climate is and how climate is different from weather. When you are done with the video, work on the activities in this section.
Now that you know what climate is, lets talk about how and why our climate is changing. In this section, first watch the video on climate change, then answer the questions in the activity below.
Can you have a cold day in a warming world? In this next section we will look at this question in detail. Climate scientist Dr. James Hansen has frequently talked about climate using dice as an example. Let's use this analogy to learn about cold days in a warming world. First view the video below and then work on the climate dice activity. Both were inspired by Dr. Hansen's work.
The ocean covers 71% of the Earth's surface and it both stores and moves heat around our world. Understanding the ocean is a critical part of understand how our climate functions and how it is changing. View the video below to learn about how the oceans move heat around our world, then answer the questions that follow.
When too much carbon dioxide gets into our air, it also gets into the water in the sea. This causes a dangerous change to sea water which makes it difficult for some creatures to form shells. Learn about Ocean Acidification in this video and then answer the questions in the activity below.
So if you can't see climate by looking out your window, how do we really know that it is chaning? View the video below to find out and then do the activities that follow.
What might happen if the climate continues to warm? Use the video and resources here to find out. Then research your own area and find out what the projections are for the place you live.
What can you do about climate change? Watch this video, then use the website below to calculate your carbon footprint, which will tell you how much carbon dioxide you put in to the atmosphere each year. Can you do more to prevent climate change? Tell us in the forum below. Then make a helpful comment to someone else in the forum.
Want to learn more about climate change? Use the resources in this class or from the page below to learn more.
Please take the post-test so teachers can see if the class you just took was effective or not. Thanks for taking this class on climate change.
Site pages
SOCSD-IDE
SOCSD-Sandbox
SOCSD-Moodle University
Participants
Before We Get Started
Climate and Weather
What is Climate Change
A Cold Day in a Warming World?
The Ocean and Our Climate
Ocean Acidification
How Do We Know?
What Could Happen?
What Can We Do?
Resources
Post Test
Rockland BOCES
Ramapo Central
Pearl River
ERCSD
Clarkstown
Sandbox Area
Templates
Miscellaneous
Course administration
This Moodle Class on Climate Change was designed by Jacob Tanenbaum. Mr. Tanenbaum is a 4th and 5th grade computer teacher from Blauvelt, New York and received training in climate science through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Stewards Program.