The Last Time the Globe Warmed
https://www.pbs.org/video/the-last-time-the-globe-warmed-vf4hzp/
https://www.pbs.org/video/the-last-time-the-globe-warmed-vf4hzp/
Eons, Public Broadcasting Service
This video is 10:53 mins
Learn more about Teaching Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness»
See how this Video supports the Next Generation Science Standards»
Grade Level
Online Readiness
Topics
Climate Literacy
This Video builds on the following concepts of Climate Literacy.
Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.
Notes From Our Reviewers
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Teaching Tips | Science | Pedagogy |
Technical Details
Teaching Tips
- Introductory "ad' is distracting and needs to be skipped.
- This is NOT an introductory video on Climate Change. Instructional support will be needed in the large variety of topics presented including chemistry, the geological time scale, earth science, and evolutionary biology.
- Video may need to be shown twice for deeper understanding of message.
- This could potentially be a better resource for early college-level students rather than high school students. Needs additional teacher and student support due to the high amount of information (on many different science topics) in a short amount of time.
- Paid subscription is required for continued viewing of this series of videos in CuriosityStream, but PBS Eons is available on Youtube or PBS.
- Comments from expert scientist: There is a lot to take in and digest in a short 10 minute video. I would recommend viewing short pieces at a time and augmenting the video with discussion and possible worksheets to ensure understanding of the topic.
About the Content
- This video discusses evidence for geological climate change and role in life on Earth.
- A lot of information is presented very quickly but the video has solid science content and data from credible sources.
- This video is VERY comprehensive given that it includes a variety of scientific disciplines (geology, ecology, climatology, earth science, chemistry) within an 11 minute video.
- This could be improved a bit more if the scientific concepts and scientific vocabulary had been further explained and in smaller video segments.
- Comments from expert scientist: This is a good video to quickly describe the PETM. Helpful schematics and images. Could be used to encourage outside research or synthesis of concepts covered over several weeks of instruction. Definitely not for lower grades, possibly for an Honor's or AP level high school science class but more useful for university-level. There is no bibliography or citations for further investigation or information regarding the PETM which may make it difficult for non-experts to come up with supporting class material. The teacher would need to have a pretty clear understanding of the material to be able to answer questions or guide discussion in order to avoid confusion and misrepresentation of the information.
About the Pedagogy
- This is a sit and listen video but teachers can supplement with interspersed discussion.
- The video includes a wide range of topics for 11 min. Students will need to have background knowledge in chemistry, geology, and biology to understand the concepts.
- This could potentially be too difficult for high school students to follow if they don't have the correct scientific background (geology, ecology, climatology, earth sciences, chemistry) and if they do not know many of these scientific vocabulary words. Many vocabulary words are not explained in detail before moving onto the next topic.
- There is a lack of teacher and student guide - students will need support for this video and need a chance to think and process. While some of the material could be engaging, this could easily be information overload if the teacher does not play the video in certain sections (with student instructional support).
