WEBQUESTS

Global Warming - Teacher's Section

Teacher Introduction

The Koshland Science Museum has developed a webquest aimed at high school students which focuses on global climate change. The Global Warming Webquest presents a fictitious scenario in which students play various roles as they try to determine how and why the global climate has changed and what role humans play in causing and responding to these changes. Students take on the roles of climate scientist, policy analyst, economist, energy expert, and urban planner as they are guided through various web-based activities and learn about climate science, environmental impacts, policy initiatives, and renewable energy choices. Upon completion of their individual tasks, the team of students must then work together to present their findings and make recommendations that address the situation.

This webquest is intended for use: (1) in preparation for visits to the Koshland Science Museum (2) for extended learning after visiting the Koshland Science Museum, or (3) when the students are unable to visit the Marian Koshland Science Museum. It will introduce students to the concepts of global climate change and potential careers in science fields.

This webquest activity can be used in many different ways in your classroom. It is recommended that students be divided up into groups of five, so that each student can assume the role of one of the investigation team members. This encourages cooperative learning in the student groups and also gives students a chance to work as a team, much the way a real-world investigative team might do. Alternatively, the webquest can be completed by students individually, investigating all of the roles by themselves. Either way, emphasis should be made on having the students communicate their findings by creating a presentation using multimedia whenever possible.

This webquest is designed to take approximately one week.

You can find more information about the webquest in the following sections

Flowchart and worksheets - Graphical flowchart of student activities and corresponding worksheets.
Science Education Standards - The National Science Education Standards relevant to this activity.
Evaluation - Rubric for evaluating student acheivement
Alternative Activities - Other suggestion of activities you can do in your classroom related to this webquest.