Welcome to Planet Earth
Podcasts
Grades3, 4, 5, 6Science
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 Tinkercast
What it is
- This Tinkercast resource features a "Wow in the World" podcast episode about the greenhouse effect, climate change, climate solutions, and includes other related resources.
- Students will also participate in a guided experiment to model how too much of the gases in our atmosphere impacts Earth's temperature.
- There are also student worksheets and activities for students to design their own experiment or design challenge.
Teaching tips
Positives
- The use of humor in the podcast will keep students engaged and entertained.
- The hands-on activity will help students understand the concept of Earth's atmosphere and how it is related to climate change.
Prerequisites
- Teachers will need to gather materials for the guided experiment, including jars, cold water, ice cubes, a plastic bag, and a thermometer.
- Students should understand the difference between weather and climate.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Some students may benefit from having guided notes as they listen to the podcast. On these notes, students can define climate change and its causes, list the impacts of climate change, list ways to care for the Earth, and explain why Earth is special.
- After hearing the list of ways students can care for the Earth, each student can select one or two solutions they are going to implement in their lives.
- Students can create a Welcome to Planet Earth brochure, highlighting key points from the podcast episode.
- For young students, teachers may want to print off the student-facing resources so students have a physical copy to work with.
- Teachers may want to discuss the greenhouse effect in more detail with students after listening to the podcast and before completing the guided experiment. This video can help teachers convey this concept.
From the scientist review
This resource from Tinkercast’s Wow in the World podcast introduces students to Earth's unique qualities that make it habitable, including its distance from the sun, protective atmosphere, and liquid water. The episode uses humor and storytelling to spark curiosity about planetary science and what makes life on Earth possible. While it does not include original data, this resource would be a fun addition to classroom discussions on Earth systems and space science.
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