Global Warming Swindle

Through this Science upd8 activity students examine the evidence behind opposing views on the cause of climate change.

One side says this is a natural phenomenon whilst the other links rises in the Earth's temperature with human emissions of greenhouse gases.

URL: http://stem.org.uk/rxbg

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Review

Science debating

Posted by tipplic on 24th July 2011

Activity time: 50-60 minute lesson

Level / prior knowledge: age 11-14 KS3 ability Level 4 -7 / general awareness of climate change

Subject / curriculum links / skills: Science: Environment / Geography /Thinking skills, team work, literacy, speaking & listening, evaluating strength of evidence to support an argument.

Preparation time: 20 minutes to print set of evidence slides and signs for plenary voting

Extra resources: access to internet, whiteboards with pens for each group

Commentary: I ran this activity with high ability Year 7 class which I divided into 2 groups, for and against the motion that Global Warming is a natural phenomenon. As a starter I showed a trailer for the Great Global Warming Swindle (Channel 4 documentary) and a selection of photos of the effects of global warming such as polar bears on the melting ice caps.

An important factor to consider in the success of this activity is the allocation of roles in each group, such as who will give evidence in the plenary debate, and to the time of the duration of the research / evaluation activity, to allow 10 -15 minutes for verbal feedback and the class vote at the end.

A good tip to appeal to kinesthetic learners is to ask each student to move to the side of the room which matches their point of view and ask them to say or write down on whiteboards a reason for their decision.