U.S Historical Climate: Excel Statistics. SERC Starting Point. Grades 9-12. http://serc.carleton.edu/introgeo/mathstatmodels/examples/XLstats.html. In this intermediate Excel activity, students import US Historical Climate Network mean temperature data into Excel from a station of their choice. They are then guided through the activity on how to use Excel for statistical calculations, graphing, and linear trend estimates. The activity assumes some familiarity with Excel and graphing in Excel.

Global Temperatures. SERC Starting Point and Columbia University Earth and Environmental Science Faculty . Grades 9-12. http://serc.carleton.edu/quantskills/teaching_methods/teachingwdata/examples/GlbTmps.html. In this activity, students create graphs of real temperature data to analyze climate trends by analyzing the global temperature record from 1867 to the present. Long-term trends and shorter-term fluctuations are both evaluated. The data is examined for evidence of the impact of natural and anthropogenic climate forcing mechanisms on the global surface temperature variability. Students are prompted to determine the difficulties scientists face in using this data to make climate predictions.

A Warming World by NASA. http://climate.nasa.gov/warmingworld/globalTemp.cfm. Interactive temperature records show how the surface temperature of our planet has been increasing since 1880.

Global Temperature: How much do you know? By NASA. http://climate.nasa.gov/TemperatureQuiz/quiz_template.html. Test your knowledge of global temperature change and its impact on Earth’s climate. It’s getting hot in here.

Vital Climate Change Graphics by UNEP/GRID-Arendal, Arendal, Norway. http://www.grida.no/publications/vg/climate2/page/2686.aspx. This section contains graphics showing the increase in the Earth’s surface temperature over time.

Air Temperature. Union of Concerned Scientists Global Warming Hot Map. http://www.climatehotmap.org/global-warming-effects/air-temperature.html. Discusses how rising air temperatures bring heat waves, spread disease, shift plant and animal habitat and cause extreme weather events, from drought to blizzards.

Ground Temperature. Union of Concerned Scientists Global Warming Hot Map. http://www.climatehotmap.org/global-warming-effects/ground-temperature.html. Discusses how as permafrost (frozen ground) thaws, it releases heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere, which accelerates global warming. It also alters local ecosystems and destabilizes infrastructure, necessitating costly repairs.

EPA Climate Change Kids’ Site. http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/kids/impacts/signs/index.html. The Environmental Protection Agency’s Kids’ Site provides information on climate change and climate change impacts for children. The site also includes educator resources (see bottom of the page), including tips for teaching climate change.

Global Warming 101 by the Will Steger Foundation, Minnesota. www.globalwarming101.com. Following along on Will Steger’s expeditions to the Arctic. Students can learn firsthand accounts of the conditions in the arctic by asking questions or viewing segments available online. Curriculum and lesson plans are also available.