Climate, Weather, and Trees Lab
Articles/Websites
Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Biology, Earth and Space Sciences, Mathematics
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by TERC
What it is
- This 4-part lab begins with students taking a walk outside to observe and reflect on nature, then students identify some local plants, describe clouds, and make connections between weather, climate, and the environment.
- Students will also use their math skills to graph climate data, think critically about how weather and climate affect living organisms, and have the opportunity to focus on the climate in their local area.
- This is the first lab in the Climate and the Biosphere unit.
Teaching tips
Positives
- The "Lab Overview" section includes lists of the materials the teacher will need to complete each activity and there are numerous extension ideas and links to additional resources.
- Each section is outlined in the educator's section.
Additional Prerequisites
- Students do not need access to a computer for this lab.
- Teachers must sign in to access the assessments.
Differentiation
- Economics classes could discuss the importance of native species, such as the sugar maple, to the economy in parts of New England. Students could discuss what would happen to the businesses and people working for those businesses if the climate became too warm for sugar maples to grow in New England.
- Students can use their artistic skills to draw the clouds and trees they observe in this lab.
- This could be a great way to introduce the connections between climate and society, while integrating math, science, and language skills.
- Other resources on this topic include this lesson on the biosphere, this video on the differences between climate and weather, and this video on extreme weather and climate change.
From the scientist review
This resource provides a deeper understanding of the impact of climate variability on maple syrup production. Students would also learn how to analyze weather data and show trends in different spatial scales. The resource is properly sourced and is recommended for teaching.
How we review resourcesReady to use it?
Hosted on serc.carleton.edu
Want this to fit your class?
Add your location for local examples, questions, and action ideas.
