Today's students will be faced, through all of their adult years, with decisions related to energy use. For these students to make intelligent and responsible choices, one thing they need to comprehend are the underlying scientific principles of the greenhouse effect. They also need to be able to judge the merit of scientific studies related to the global warming controversy. The controversy on the greenhouse effect and global climate change has not been resolved.
Some scientists believe our climate is changing, largely due to human activities.
Other groups of scientists believe the temperature changes we are experiencing are part of the normal climate fluctuations of the Earth. Perhaps additional evidence will answer many of the climate change questions within the lifetime of your students. As additional evidence is found, students will need to be able to judge the validity of the information presented in the media. The science portion of this interdisciplinary unit focuses on providing students with some first-hand experience with the greenhouse effect. Students will be involved in an activity designed to illustrate the nature of the greenhouse effect.