Atlas of Change

Notes from our reviewers

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• Teaching Tips
  Be sure to watch the "Tour the Activity" for Activity 3 video before you begin. View the Teacher Comments at the bottom of the Activity 3 home page [link http://sfrc.ufl.edu/extension/ee/climate/section1/activity3/].
• About the Science
  Activity draws on the US Forest Service Climate Change Atlas in which several different climate models are used to project how tree and bird species may fare under different scenarios as their current habitats change. Comments from expert scientist: Scientific strengths: Overall extremely impressed with the Southeastern Forests and Climate Change Activities 1-3 - Great introductory to how models work - Use of Atlas and creating informative posters - Comparing projected changes to suitable habitat for southeastern forest ecosystems or bird populations that result from using different climate models and scenarios
• About the Pedagogy
  Effectively summarizes the nature of modeling in climate science. Students use the online Climate Change Atlas, from the United States Forest Service, to explore the effects of climate change on the future distributions of suitable habitats for forest types, tree species, and bird species in the eastern United States. A slide presentation called "Atlas Guide" is used by students to understand how to use the USDA Forest Service Climate Change Atlas (both tree and bird sections). Student sheets provide step-by-step guidance for use of the Atlas. The pedagogy of the worksheets is somewhat "cookbook" style, but the jigsaw discussion and poster-making aspects of the activities will help develop higher order thinking skills. Alternative teaching instructions are given to simplify content and the length of the lesson for students of varying abilities. A concise and useful introduction to modeling and how models are used in climate projections is supplied (PPT). Activity also offers a tutorial on climate modeling, presented by a University of Florida faculty member. On the home page, [link http://sfrc.ufl.edu/extension/ee/climate/section1/activity3/], there are three important teacher tools: A video "Tour of the Activity" that lays out objectives and tell instructors exactly what students will be doing and identifies videos or other media teachers should review, a Check Your Knowledge--Interactive Quiz for educators, and Systems Exercises that can be incorporated.
• Technical Details/Ease of Use
  Free registration is required to access the materials. The login process is a bit circuitous but allows access to a large suite of materials used in this activity. Teacher notes are provided for both slide sets. Excellent background reading for teachers is a big plus. All materials and resources are included in either PDF form or are online. Modifications, enrichment, and systems thinking extensions provided. The Tree Atlas and Bird Atlas can be accessed outside the activity and without creating an account. Climate Change Tree Atlas [link https://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/atlas/tree/] Climate Change Bird Atlas [link https://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/atlas/bird/]