Weather Watchers – Engager: Skill Level Two

ENGAGER – Skill Level: Two

Activity:

Exploring Climate Change and Public Perceptions

 

Objectives: Explain the concept of ‘sources’ and ‘sinks’ as they relate to CO₂, use an indicator solution (BTB) to reveal the presence of CO₂ and understand the differences between animal and fossil fuel sources of global CO₂.
Science Skills: Collecting Data, Measuring, Summarizing
Life Skills: Critical thinking, wise use of resources

Activity 1:  “Where in the World is Carbon” 
The activity in Explore More provides a great introduction to the chemical Carbon Dioxide and some of its origins.

Objectives: Explain the concept of ‘sources’ and ‘sinks’ as they relate to CO₂, use an indicator solution (BTB) to reveal the presence of CO₂ and understand the differences between animal and fossil fuel sources of global CO₂.

Science Skills: Collecting Data, Measuring, Summarizing

Life Skills: Critical thinking, wise use of resources

Preparation Activities
Review the activity linked in “Explore More.”  Collect materials or check to see if they can be borrowed from your Extension Office.

 

Activity 2 : Measuring Your Carbon Footprint

Objective: Use online tools to make an estimation of personal carbon footprint

Science Skills: Measure, Use Numbers and Tools, Interpret Findings

Preparation Activities:
Review  Carbon Calculators in Explore More and chose one to use with group

There are several good websites in Explore More and tools to help you estimate your carbon footprint, and they each vary depending on how accurate you want to be.  Why not compare your answer between sites?

 

Activity 3: Climate Change Survey
Have the youth explore public opinion based on the perceptions of locals regarding climate and weather. Ask the youth to make sure that at least ½ of their interviewees are over 40 years old. It will be important youth can adequately explain the difference between weather and climate before delivering this survey to others.

Ask the Right Questions:
Have the team pool their results. Decide how to compile the responses. Are there patterns in responses? Do variables of age, occupation or time in the area appear to affect perceptions? How does the way we categorize our data effect how it is interpreted by others?