Global patterns in Green-up and Green-down

Global patterns in Green-up and Green-down
https://www.globe.gov/documents/355050/9ed5b1b9-323d-4886-8e9f-d3bc34ca6a80

GLOBE Program

In this classroom activity, students analyze visualizations and graphs that show the annual cycle of plant growth and decline. They explore patterns of annual change for the globe and several regions in each hemisphere that have different land cover and will match graphs that show annual green-up and green-down patterns with a specific land cover type.

Activity takes about two to three class periods.

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See how this Activity supports the Next Generation Science Standards»

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High School

Performance Expectations: 2

HS-ESS2-6: Develop a quantitative model to describe the cycling of carbon among the hydrosphere, atmosphere, geosphere, and biosphere.

HS-LS2-5: Develop a model to illustrate the role of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the cycling of carbon among the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.

Disciplinary Core Ideas: 3

HS-ESS2.D1: The foundation for Earth’s global climate systems is the electromagnetic radiation from the sun, as well as its reflection, absorption, storage, and redistribution among the atmosphere, ocean, and land systems, and this energy’s re-radiation into space.

HS-ESS2.D2: Gradual atmospheric changes were due to plants and other organisms that captured carbon dioxide and released oxygen.

HS-PS3.D1: Although energy cannot be destroyed, it can be converted to less useful forms—for example, to thermal energy in the surrounding environment.

Cross Cutting Concepts: 7

Patterns, Cause and effect, Energy and Matter, Stability and Change

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Patterns, Cause and effect, Energy and Matter, Stability and Change

HS-C1.1: Different patterns may be observed at each of the scales at which a system is studied and can provide evidence for causality in explanations of phenomena

HS-C1.5: Empirical evidence is needed to identify patterns.

HS-C2.1: Empirical evidence is required to differentiate between cause and correlation and make claims about specific causes and effects.

HS-C2.2: Cause and effect relationships can be suggested and predicted for complex natural and human designed systems by examining what is known about smaller scale mechanisms within the system.

HS-C2.4: Changes in systems may have various causes that may not have equal effects.

HS-C5.4: Energy drives the cycling of matter within and between systems.

HS-C7.1: Much of science deals with constructing explanations of how things change and how they remain stable.

Science and Engineering Practices: 7

Asking Questions and Defining Problems, Developing and Using Models, Planning and Carrying Out Investigations, Analyzing and Interpreting Data, Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions, Engaging in Argument from Evidence, Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

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HS-P1.3: ask questions to determine relationships, including quantitative relationships, between independent and dependent variables

HS-P2.6: Develop and/or use a model (including mathematical and computational) to generate data to support explanations, predict phenomena, analyze systems, and/or solve problems.

HS-P3.5: Make directional hypotheses that specify what happens to a dependent variable when an independent variable is manipulated.

HS-P4.4: Compare and contrast various types of data sets (e.g., self-generated, archival) to examine consistency of measurements and observations.

HS-P6.1: Make a quantitative and/or qualitative claim regarding the relationship between dependent and independent variables.

HS-P7.4: Construct, use, and/or present an oral and written argument or counter-arguments based on data and evidence.

HS-P8.2: Compare, integrate and evaluate sources of information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words in order to address a scientific question or solve a problem.

Grade Level

High School (9-12)
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Topics

Carbon Cycle
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Seasons
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Seasonal Variability
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Climate Literacy

This Activity builds on the following concepts of Climate Literacy.

Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.

Excellence in Environmental Education Guidelines

1. Questioning, Analysis and Interpretation Skills:G) Drawing conclusions and developing explanations
Other materials addressing:
G) Drawing conclusions and developing explanations.

1. Questioning, Analysis and Interpretation Skills:C) Collecting information
Other materials addressing:
C) Collecting information.

2. Knowledge of Environmental Processes and Systems:2.1 The Earth as a Physical System:A) Processes that shape the Earth
Other materials addressing:
A) Processes that shape the Earth.

2. Knowledge of Environmental Processes and Systems:2.2 The Living Environment:D) Flow of matter and energy
Other materials addressing:
D) Flow of matter and energy.

Notes From Our Reviewers The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness. Read what our review team had to say about this resource below or learn more about how CLEAN reviews teaching materials
Teaching Tips | Science | Pedagogy | Technical Details

Teaching Tips

Educators must visit the GLOBE site http://www.globe.gov to obtain images to make transparencies or to project in class.
Educators should look at Project Bud Burst http://budburst.org/ and GLOBE's Seasons and Biomes http://www.globe.gov/do-globe/measurement-campaigns/past-projects/earth-as-a-system-projects/seasons-and-biomes and involve students in the projects if appropriate.

About the Content

Very good background material for educators.
Visualizations from space show students how scientists use data for analyzing global climate patterns.
Materials are dated; e.g. some of the maps and data sets are from the late 1980s. This doesn't take from the learning outcome but might discourage students.

About the Pedagogy

Use of grouping techniques and discussion to elicit student learning helps diverse students engage with activity content. Also, flip books are good for visual and tactile learners, and a good way for students to examine relationships in the data visually.
Well-organized and structured for educators and students.
Provides clear and comprehensive guidance for educator.
Worksheets are provided along with rubrics for evaluation.

Related URLs These related sites were noted by our reviewers but have not been reviewed by CLEAN

Activity is part of the GLOBE curriculum http://www.globe.gov/do-globe/globe-teachers-guide.

Entered the Collection: February 2012 Last Reviewed: July 2016

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High School (see details)