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Description
In this inquiry-based activity, inspired by findings from the IPCC, students investigate the evidence for climate change using personal experiences, local observations, and scientific data. By examining sources such as community interviews, photographs, satellite images, graphs, newspaper articles, and social media posts, students explore how scientists know Earth's climate is changing. They also develop an understanding of the difference between short-term weather events and long-term climate trends while learning to evaluate the reliability of information sources.
Students will:
- gather evidence of climate change from a variety of sources, interviews with Elders, newspaper articles, photographs, social media posts, and scientific data
- distinguish between short-term weather events and long-term climate patterns
- analyze different types of evidence for climate change, and decide if it reflects climate or weather
- share their findings with the class and combine their evidence to build a complete picture of how scientists know the climate is changing
- discuss the importance of verifying the reliability of sources of information.
Throughout the activity, students interpret graphs, photographs, maps, and scientific observations rather than relying on opinions. They record their findings on a summary worksheet and discuss why many different sources of evidence are needed to understand long-term climate trends.
General Assessment
Recommendation of how and where to use it
Appropriate for Grades 6–10 students with curriculum links in Science and Environmental Science. Through documentary analysis and group work, students explore diverse forms of data from personal stories to scientific sources to better understand the nature, causes, and global impact of climate change. The resource emphasizes the importance of evaluating the reliability of information sources, identifying the IPCC as a key scientific reference, and helps students recognize misinformation. Two extension activities provide opportunities to deepen learning, and comprehensive background information is included to support teachers with the lesson.
Relevant Curriculum Units
The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.
- Step 1Select a province
- Alberta
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Earth Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions.
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interactions and Ecosystems
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Freshwater and Saltwater Systems
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environment and Outdoor Education: Environmental Investigations
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland & Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 7: Earth and its climate have changed over geological time
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 8: The theory of plate tectonics is the unifying theory that explains Earth’s geological processes
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Water Systems on Earth
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 9: Nature of Science
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 431A: Earth and Space Science, Weather Systems
- Quebec
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science and Technology: The Earth and Space
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science & Technology: The Earth and Space
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon Territory
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 7: Earth and its climate have changed over geological time
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 8: The theory of plate tectonics is the unifying theory that explains Earth’s geological processes
Themes Addressed
Air, Atmosphere & Climate (2)
- Climate Change
- Weather
Indigenous Knowledge (1)
- TEK -- Traditional Ecological Knowledge
Science and Technology (1)
- Analysing Conventional Science