SUMMARY

The series of short videos, courtesy of NSF, helps to clarify the concept of climate modeling. The videos address many questions in an informative and clear way: What is computer climate modeling?  Are these models a perfect means of veryfing climate change? How is modeling of climate done using paleoclimatic data? Each video addresses one of these questions

GOALS

• Students will learn why we need to model climate change.
• Students will get an idea about how the modeling process is done, especially recent technology being used in prediction.
• Students can learn about the role of climate modeling in relation to warming.

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION AND TEACHING MATERIALS

Each of these videos can be viewed by clicking on the play button. If you click on the video image it will fill the screen.

What is Computer climate Modeling?

How do scientists know if computer models are simulating climate change correctly?

How can the findings of paleoclimatologists help validate climate models?

TEACHING NOTES / CONTEXT FOR USE

These videos can be used in any class where the topic of climate change and modeling is being addressed. The videos provide a very accessible introduction to several aspects of the topic by answering common questions that any student might ask.  Although series scientific concepts are discussed, the nature of the presentations is such that even junior high school students can understand the key points.

SHORT DESCRIPTION

These are videos addressing common questions about climate change modeling and how does it work and how prediction can be done.