Research Assignment:

Is Anthropogenic Climate Change and Global

Warming Really Occuring?
Introduction:
Have you ever been into a greenhouse on a spring day? The temperature
inside, if the sun has been shining will be considerably higher than the outside
because the suns rays cannot escape through the glass.
The earth is heated by the sun, but it is protected by the shield of various
gases called the stratosphere, among them carbon dioxide. Carbon Dioxide will
let heat in but it will not let heat out again so the earth is slowly heating up.
Most scientists agree that global warming is really happening. Its thought that
by the end of the 21st century, the world will be a much warmer place than it is
now. What they cant agree on, however is what causes global warming or
what the effects are.
Here are some useful terms to define the people involved:
People who believe in Global Warming: Environmentalists, Greens, Ecologists,
Climate Scientists
People who do not believe in Global Warming: Climate Sceptics, Climate
Deniers. (Can be some scientists and politicians as well)
When studying Environmental Science the key word evaluate is
commonly used. Evaluation requires you to analyse and interpret key
view points of an argument and to use the evidence (qualitative and
quantitative) presented to form your ownopinion on an issue. After
completing research on evidence presented by climate believes and
climate sceptics, your task is to present the results of your research as an
annotated poster or a multimedia presentation.
A graphical representation has been provided to guide your research.

GRAPHICAL GUIDE (SIMPLIFIED LAYOUT):

Issue
A short opening statement about what is happening to our climate
what is the natural greenhouse effect (nge) and the enhanced
greenhouse effect (ege). Include some evidence to show that climate is
changing and to highlight the mechanism behind this change (e.g. a
graph, diagram).
What are greenhouse gases (which gases are involved in the nge & ege).

Arguments
Climate Scientists

Climate Sceptics

Summary of
arguments that
humans are the
cause of climate
change.
Data provided as
evidence.
Possible solutions to
prevent climate
change

Evaluation

After evalauating both the arguments, my opinion is

Because

References
Use www.citethisforme.com

Summary of
arguments that
global warming is a
natural process and
humans are not
responsible.
Data provided as
evidence.

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT:WATER RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT RUBRIC SHEET

3

All required
information on
the greenhouse
effect and gases
are described in
great detail as well
as additional
information.
Relevant facts and
figures (graphs)
has been
discussed in detail.

All required
information on
the greenhouse
effect and gases
are adequately
described.

An attempt has
been made to
give some
information on
the greenhouse
effect and gases

The greenhouse
effect and gases is
not explained.

Relevant facts or
figures has been
provided.

An attempt has
been made to
give some
relevant facts
and figures.

Relevant facts
and figures are
not explained.

ENGLISH/ WRITING SKILLS

Interpretation, analysis
and application of
information:
Representation of
research information

Information
chosen has been
explained in
students own
words, applied in
the most
appropriate
manner, explained
concisely to a very
high standard

Information
chosen has been
explained in
students own
words and applied
in an appropriate
manner

Information
chosen has not
been explained
in students own
words and was
not applied in
the most
appropriate
manner

Information not
provided

SCIENCE AS A HUMAN
ENDEAVOUR
Acknowledging Sources
Of Information:
Construction of a
reference list and ability
to acknowledge others
published work
www.citethisforme.com

Sources of
information
acknowledged in
the form of a
reference list.
Appropriate
reference details
have been
provided
(Website, Name,
Date accessed)
Conclusions
stating students
justified opinions
are meaningful

Sources of
information
acknowledged in
the form of a
reference list,
however some
reference
information is
missing

Reference list
incomplete

Reference list not

provided

Some relevant and

appropriate
conclusions
stating students
justified opinions
have been made

Conclusions
stating students
justified opinions
are not
explained in a
logical manner

No evidence of
the conclusions
made, or
conclusions
inappropriate

SCIENCE
UNDERSTANDING
Ability to collect and
include information on
Greenhouse effect and
gases

MATHEMATICS
Information on climate
change showing some
recent facts and figures in
recent years.

Conclusion/Summary:
An in-depth
understanding showing
their own opinion about
the issue.