Problem Based Web Quest

Introduction

• Global warming is becoming a serious concern for all inhabitants of the planet Earth. Gradually over the years, our climate has been warming up.

• For those of us who live in the Northern Hemisphere, our first reaction might be "That's okay with me. Our summers are too short anyway".

• However, even a minor change in the Earth's temperature of only a few degrees will result in dramatic changes to our climate.

Climate Past

• During the last Ice Age when most of the Northern Hemisphere was covered in glaciers, the average temperature of our planet was only 2 to 3 degrees Celius colder than what it is today. Doesn't sound like much, but the result was that much of Canada was covered in ice up to a few kilometers in depth.

•So imagine what could happen if our average temperature was to rise by a couple of degrees Celsius.

Climate Future

The TaskThe Task• As part of a top secret research project on global warming, As part of a top secret research project on global warming,

you and three other scientists have agreed to be you and three other scientists have agreed to be transported 101 years into the future. You will be living in transported 101 years into the future. You will be living in the year 2110 for three weeks.the year 2110 for three weeks.

• Your mission is to study the effects that global warming has Your mission is to study the effects that global warming has had on the Earth in the future.had on the Earth in the future.

• At the end of three weeks, you will be transported At the end of three weeks, you will be transported back to present day Earth where you will report back back to present day Earth where you will report back to Central Command on what we can do today to to Central Command on what we can do today to make sure that future inhabitants of our planet are make sure that future inhabitants of our planet are safe from the disastrous consequences of global safe from the disastrous consequences of global warming.warming.

Beginning 1 Developing 2 Accomplished 3

Exemplary 4

Introduction/Causes

Noinformationgiven as towhat toexpect inthe report.

Some informationgiven as to what toexpect in thereport.

Adequateinformation givenso that the reader isaware of who andwhat the report isabout.

A very conciseintroductionwhich showsthat the writer isvery aware of

Effects Does notexplain anyof theeffects ofglobalwarming.

Explains some ofthe effects ofglobal warming

Explains many ofthe effects ofglobal warming

Explains manyof the effects ofglobal warmingwhich shows aclearunderstanding ofthe problem.

Global Warming Webquest Individual Roles page• Now that you have learned about the causes of climate

change and the impacts of global warming, more research is needed about how to study and respond to climate change. Each member of the group will now assume a role for the investigative team of experts (Climate Scientist, Policy Analyst, Economist, Energy Expert, and Urban Planner). Each of you will work individually, according to your role, and investigate the issues related to global warming from several different perspectives..

The Roles• Climate Scientist: Investigate the scientific data behind

climate change and tools used to study global warming. • Policy Analyst: Learn how laws and public policy can

affect climate change. • Economist: Study the economic impacts associated with

global warming and see how business leaders are responding to the changing climate.

• Energy Expert: Explore how we get energy for transportation and electricity and learn how energy use impacts the climate.

• Urban Planner: See how architects, engineers, and city planners are responding to climate change by using sustainable materials and energy efficient designs

RESEARCH HYPERLINKS

• EPA Global Warming Site• EPA Global Warming Kids Page• Carbon for Kids• The Impact of Global Warming• Global Warming and Greenhouse

Effect• Earth on Fire• Global Warming is Hot Stuff!• Encyclopedia of the Atmospheric

Environment

THE REPORT• When finished with your

individual research, you will share what you have learned with your team and prepare a report to be presented to UN officials

STAND BY FOR TIME TRAVEL