Serendip is an independent site partnering with faculty at multiple colleges and universities around the world. Happy exploring!

Home › Introduction to Global Warming ›

Introduction to Global Warming

To begin this minds-on analysis and discussion activity, students learn about the correlated increases in global temperatures and CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere.

Next, students evaluate an example that illustrates that correlation does not necessarily imply causation. Then, they analyze several types of evidence to test the hypothesis that increased CO2 in the atmosphere has been a major cause of the increase in global temperatures.

This learning activity concludes with a very brief discussion of how global warming has contributed to harmful effects on humans and possible actions to reduce these harmful effects.

    The Student Handout is available in the first two attached files. The Teacher Notes, available in the last two attached files, provide instructional suggestions and background information and explain how this activity is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards.

      AttachmentSize
      GlobalWarmingSH .docx1.21 MB
      GlobalWarmingSH .pdf616.96 KB
      GlobalWarmingTN.docx1.98 MB
      GlobalWarmingTN.pdf1.04 MB
      • share

      Comments

      Serendip Visitor's picture

      Resources not linked

      Submitted by Serendip Visitor (guest) on Wed, 07/15/2026 - 11:07am.

      Hi there, Just wanted to alert that the resources mentioned in this post are missing/unavailable.

      iwaldron's picture

      Thank you!

      Submitted by iwaldron on Fri, 07/17/2026 - 11:26am.

      Thank you for alerting us to this problem, which is now fixed, thanks to your comment.  :)
      Ingrid

      iwaldron's picture

      2022 revision

      Submitted by iwaldron on Fri, 04/01/2022 - 9:56am.

      I have clarified the Student Handout and updated the information in the Teacher Notes.

      Ingrid

      Post new comment

      The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
      To prevent automated spam submissions leave this field empty.
      9 + 5 =
      Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.

      Download Minds-On Activities for Teaching Biology

      Introduction and Activities Listing

      Intro and Biological Molecules

      Cell

      Cell Structure and Function

      Cellular Respiration and Photosynthesis

      Cell Division

      Cell Division

      Genealogy

      Genetics

      Genealogy

      Molecular Biology

      Natural Selection

      Evolution

      Natural Selection

      Ecology

      Runner

      Human Physiology and Health

      Subscribe

      Subscribe to our listserv to receive notices when we post new activities or significant revisions or when we offer an online professional development.

      Creative Commons License

      This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. To preserve the value of these learning activities for other teachers, please do not post keys for any questions from any of these activities!

      Creative Commons License

      Authors

      Dr. Ingrid Waldron is Professor Emerita in the Biology Department at the University of Pennsylvania. Co-authors include Dr. Jennifer Doherty, who is an Assistant Professor in the Physiology Department at Michigan State University, and Dr. Lori Spindler, who is a Lecturer in the Biology Department at the University of Pennsylvania. They have developed these activities in collaboration with colleagues at Penn and middle school and high school teachers in the Philadelphia area. We are grateful to Craig Douglas for his generous help with graphics.

       

      • share

      Remote Ready Biology Learning Activities

      Scanning electron microscope image of SARS-CoV-2

      Remote Ready Biology Learning Activities has 50 remote-ready activities, which work for either your classroom or remote teaching.

      Narrative is determined not by a desire to narrate but by a desire to exchange. (Roland Barthes, S/Z)

      What's New? Subscribe to Serendip Studio

      New Topics

      Read More >