Coastal communities are experiencing an increase in coastal flooding due to storms, king tides, and sea level rise. Educating students on these issues is not only a great science and math exercise, it increases informed-decision making on adapting to climate change-related trends.
Educators from Georgia Institute of Technology created a curriculum for middle school students using the 5E Model of Instruction to actively investigate climate change and the phenomenon of sea level rise.
The curriculum provides foundational science principles and allows middle school student to use real data to create data visualizations of sea level rise. Students will spend time brainstorming methods that can be used to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Email communications@secoora.org for a copy of the curriculum.
Using the Curriculum in the Classroom
Watch the below webinars how to use the curriculum in the classroom. They are intended to act as a tool for educators to reference as they teach the lesson plan.
Webinar 1: Causes of Sea-level Rise
Activity: What effect (if any) do melting sea ice and land ice have on sea-level rise?Webinar 2: Introduction to the phenomenon of coastal flooding in the Savannah/Tybee area
Activity: Ft. Pulaski historical data- coastal floodingWebinar 3: Sea Level Sensor Project + available data from sensors
Activity: Ft. Pulaski historical data- tides (connect back to sea-level rise, coastal flooding)Webinar 4: Analyzing global sea-level and temperature data
Activity: Impact of increased amounts of carbon dioxide on global temperature- what can students do to helpAuthors of the Curriculum
Jayma Koval, Ed.S.
Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing
Georgia Institute of Technology
Dr. Alex Robel
School of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences
Georgia Institute of Technology
More Info on the Curriculum
The curriculum is supported by the Smart Sea Level Sensors project, a unique partnership between Chatham Emergency Management officials, City of Savannah officials, and Georgia Tech faculty who are working together to install a network of internet-enabled sea level sensors across Chatham County.
