|
Learner Outcomes
- Students will access the internet and collect
information about the effects of El Niño for their
region.
- Students will be able to define global change.
- Students will become aware of climatic changes in
their region during an El Niño year.
- Students will interpret data collected from a web
site.
- Students will be able interpret a Standardized
Vegetation Index (SVI) and draw conclusions about their
region.
- Students will draw conclusions about the effects of
El Niño on agriculture in their region.
Concept Introduction
After studying about global climate change and El
Niño, students will collect data about rainfall and
temperature variations for their region during an El
Niño year. Students will then examine a series of
standardized vegetation indices with DataSlate to draw
conclusions about the effect of El Niño on their
region.
Teacher Preparation
Technology
This lesson can be used in a one computer classroom as a
demonstration, individually in a lab or in groups. The
lesson is designed to last about one 50 minute period.
Teachers need to be familiar with DataSlate and its basic
operations. The on-line tutorial can be used to become
familiar with this software. Teachers should also be
familiar with all of the web sites students will use. The
computer used should be at least a Pentium 90 (166 is
better) with 16 MB of ram or a Power Macintosh with 32 MB of
RAM. Either platform needs a CD-ROM.
Lesson
The teacher, if not familiar with ENSO events should review
the web pages listed in the resources section of this page.
Introduce the concept of Global Change and discuss its
definition. Do the same with El Niño and ENSO.
Distribute assignments and data sheets. Allow students to
complete the activity. Discuss findings as a class. This
activity works ideally with cooperative groups.
Resources
What
is El Niño
El
Niño, La Nina, and ENSO definitions
NOAA
El Niño Page
Current
Research on El Niño
Climate
Change
Student
Pages
El
Niño Data
Sheet (This link will
open in a separate window.)
|
