Climate Detectives Unit Labs

• This unit consists of a series of six labs that are designed to mimic the steps scientists go through when participating in an expedition aboard a scientific core-drilling ship off the southern coast of Alaska. 
• Students will learn how geologic history and sediment cores can tell scientists about past climate conditions, learn about the jobs of various scientists on board, and work in groups to create a final paper to summarize their group's findings. 

Positives

• Students will enjoy watching the videos featuring scientists on board the JOIDES Resolution, a real research ship.
• The "Lab Overviews" section identifies all of the materials needed for the activities and provides a quick scope and sequence of the unit.

Additional Prerequisites

• The maps and data in this unit are somewhat dated, but the concepts, topics, and skills remain relevant.
• Students will need access to the Internet for most labs.
  

Differentiation

• The videos appear throughout the unit and help students connect the concepts in the unit with an actual scientific expedition. This could highlight the importance of storytelling in science classes and connect to language arts or performing arts classes.
  
• Career exploration or life skills classes could use this unit as a way for students to learn about the many career options for people interested in scientific research.
• Earth science classes could take a field trip to a local university research lab to see how scientists (and students) are working to collect samples and analyze data.
• Other resources on this topic include this ClimateScience video on how scientists know that climate change is real, this video that shows how scientists use old coral to learn about climate history, and this NASA resource on changing ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland.