Environmental Science
Session Date
Lesson Topic
global warming continued
Lesson Outline
Can we stop global warming is the discussion for today. What can we do to decrease the effects of global warming?.
The answer boils down to don't use as much of the "stuff" that creates greenhouse gases.
Discussed and outlined a series of specific and general activities which can be utilized to decrease greenhouse gases.
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60
Session Date
Lesson Topic
Global warming
Lesson Outline
Discussion of an article "Is global warming a real problem?"-
The discussion involved reasons and arguments proposed by some people, scientists included, who feel that global warming is not happening at all.
These involved thoughts revolving around not enough long-term historical data, incorrect interpretation of the data, and arguments presented that the increase in global temperatures we are seeing could be a natural climate shift.
They also argue that the economic damage will be far more damaging to humans than any effects of global warming.
Assignment
research project
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60
Lesson Comments
Ayden was given another research project to complete for next week. He had not done the last one.
We did comment on the arguments presented, and weighed their validity
Session Date
Lesson Topic
Climate Change
Lesson Outline
Discussion of the effect climate change has on ecosystems.
The biotic factors were considered and not the abiotic factors.
Outline how an ecosystem can gradually change from one form, example a tundra, into a second form, such as a forest.
The overall ability of organisms to adapt or become extinct included. A stress is placed on the fact that all ecosystems are inter related to each other
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60
Lesson Comments
ON line discussion, along with notes
Session Date
Lesson Topic
global warming continued
Lesson Outline
Effects of global warming: Seasons and Ecosystems
Discuss how not all changes brought about by global warming need be harmful.
Some changes which have an effect on four season ecosystems can be beneficial, the growing season would be longer with more precipitation.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of all electric vehicles.
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
30
Lesson Comments
Ayden was in person today, but was stuck at the bridge
Session Date
Lesson Topic
global warming-
Lesson Outline
Discuss the effects of global warming on the sea level.
Introduce how the loss of glaciers and ice shelves could accelerate warming because less of the Sun's energy would be reflected away.
Immediate result of melting glaciers would be a rise in sea level.
Discuss how water vapor is the most abundant greenhouse gas that is not a result of man-made emissions.
Show how water vapor increases will increase condensation, the formation of clouds and increased reflection of heat energy.
Discuss Earth's main ice covered landmass, Antarctica, at the South Pole.
Discuss how and why the melting of the ice covering would cause severe increases in ocean water.
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60
Lesson Comments
Ayden was given an alternate research assignment which is due next Monday.
Session Date
Lesson Topic
Global warming
Lesson Outline
Discuss what will happen if the planet actually warms up a few degrees.
Review carbon dioxide and methane level concentration increases over the last 100 years.
Relate an average drop of 5 degrees over a period of 10,000 years can and has caused an ice age; so what will happen if the Earth's average temperature increases a few degrees in only 100 years?
Discuss the effect of glacial and ice shelf melting on global warming.
Assignment
Research paper due next Mon.
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60
Lesson Comments
A research report; is global warming irreversible?" is due by next Monday
Session Date
Lesson Topic
global warming continued
Lesson Outline
Comprehensive review both verbally online and through a comprehensive video.
In depth explanation as to how the greenhouse gases cause a rise in the temperature, by increasing the atmospheric level above the Earth and that the gases will continue to reflect and radiate.
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60
Session Date
Lesson Topic
Global warming gases
Lesson Outline
Discuss how nitrous oxide is another important greenhouse gas.
Though it is not released by human activity in the same quantity as carbon dioxide, it absorbs about 270 times as much heat energy.
The use of large amounts of nitrogen fertilize on crops releases nitrous oxide in great quantities.
Another gas which exhibits greenhouse effect is methane. Discuss how it is the main component of natural gas and is produced through the decomposition of organic matter, by extracting from coal, from livestock, from bacterial action on rice paddies, and the decomposition of garbage.
View methane ice locked under the oceans
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
0
Lesson Comments
Ayden was absent today, not on line.
Session Date
Lesson Topic
Global warming continued
Lesson Outline
Development of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere over millions of years. The effect happens because of certain naturally occurring substances in the atmosphere.
Indicate how the original gases, like carbon dioxide and methane, were produced by volcanic activity, as the Earth cooled.
Discuss how carbon dioxide is a colorless gas that is a bi-product of the combustion of organic matter.
The original percentage of gases in the atmosphere made up less than 0.04%, but today, human activities are pumping huge amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
These increased concentrations are considered the primary factor in global warming, because carbon dioxide absorbs infrared radiation. Most of the enery that escapes Earth's atmosphere comes in this form, so extra carbon dioxide means more energy absorption and in overall increase in he planets temperature.
Discuss the actual tonnage rise in carbon dioxide since 1900 and the corresponding temperature increase.
Assignment
Essay is due tomorrow
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60
Lesson Comments
Still having some connection problems with Ayden, but nothing that wasn't fixed fairly quickly
Session Date
Lesson Topic
Global warming
Lesson Outline
A short research assignment was given to report on what the Earth would look like if there weren't any greenhouse gases.
To help explain the greenhouse effect, an analogy using a car left out in the Sun for a few hours. Through a series of steps, it was explained why and how the car became very hot.
Continuing from the car analogy, a series of steps involving absorption and reflection of the Sun's energy to create heating of the planet through reflection of radiated heat from clouds, snow, and ice is trapped by greenhouse gases and produces a slow warming.
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
30
Lesson Comments
There was some computer glitches logging in with Ayden, he was not receiving the rings, though the rings were heard. Eventually it was corrected and we were able to finish the complete lesson