Introduction
Introduction
Our planet's climate is changing rapidly, affecting weather patterns, ecosystems, and communities worldwide. But what is driving these changes, and what can we do to reverse them? In this activity, you are part of an elite Environmental Task Force. Your mission is to investigate the primary causes of global climate change, analyze its impacts on local communities, and present a viable action plan to combat environmental degradation.
Task
Task
Working in groups of three, your team will take on specialized roles to publish a visual Climate Action Plan Infographic. Your final product must explain the science behind climate change, evaluate its local effects, and propose three concrete actions your school or community can implement.
Assign one of the following roles to each team member:
The Climate Scientist: Researches global causes, greenhouse gases, and climate data.
The Environmental Analyst: Investigates direct impacts on weather, local ecosystems, and human safety.
The Solutions Strategist: Researches renewable energy, waste reduction, and practical community actions.
Process
Process
1. Assign Roles: Form your team of three and choose who fills each role.
2. Conduct Research: Explore the links provided in the Resources section to gather data for your role.
3. Collaborate: Meet as a group to share findings. Identify the top 3 climate risks in your area and brainstorm local solutions.
4. Design the Product: Combine your findings using Canva, Google Slides, or PowerPoint to build a visual infographic summarizing your findings and 3 action steps.
5. Self-Evaluate: Check your work against the rubric on the Evaluation page before submitting.
Evaluation
| Criteria | Developing (1pt) | Proficient (2pt) | Exemplary (3pts) | |
| Scientific Accuracy | Information contains several inaccuracies or lacks support from sources | Most facts are accurate and supported by provided resources. | All scientific explanation are accurate, Clear, and thoroughly detailed. | |
| Role integration | Research from individual role is missing or disconnected | All three roles contributed, but integration could be smoother. | Perspective From all three roles are seamlessly integrated into the final product. | |
| Actionable solutions | Solution are vague, generic, or unrealistic for local application. | Proposes 3 realistic local solutions with moderate detail | Proposes 3 highly realistic, well explained, and creative local action steps. | |
| Design & clarity | Infographic is disorganized, hard to read, or incomplete. | Infographic is organized and readable with minor layout issues | Infographic is visually engaging, well structured, and easy to follow. |
Conclusion
Conclusion
Congratulations! By completing this WebQuest, you have explored the science behind global climate change and discovered how localized efforts contribute to global solutions. Reflect on your project experience: Which of your team's three proposed actions do you think will have the greatest impact on your daily life, and why?
Credits
Credits & ReferencesWebQuest structure based on Bernie Dodge’s WebQuest Model.Media and data sources provided courtesy of NASA, NOAA, US EPA, EIA, SubjectToClimate, and National Geographic.
Teacher Page
Teacher Page
Grade Level: 7–9 (Middle / High School Science)
Curriculum Alignment: Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) - Earth and Human Activity (ESS3.C, ESS3.D).
Learning Objectives: Students will analyze evidence of climate change, collaborate in specialized roles, and formulate evidence-based solutions for environmental conservation.
Teacher Instructions: Allow 2 to 3 class periods (45 minutes each) for research, group synthesis, and infographic creation.