The Tipping Point: Thresholds Between Earth's Physical Systems

Details The Tipping Point: Thresholds Between Earth's Physical Systems The Tipping Point: Thresholds Between Earth's Physical Systems

Dec 2010

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010aspc..436..237k&link_type=abstract

Learning from Inquiry in Practice. Proceedings of a conference held in Santa Cruz, California on January 16–17, 2010. Edited by

Computer Science

Learning

Scientific paper

The Tipping Point inquiry activity was designed for physical sciences transfer students to the University of California, Santa Cruz, participating in Workshops for Engineering and Science Transfers (WEST). Our challenge was to design an activity that would be relevant and interesting to students across a broad range of disciplines, i.e., chemistry, earth sciences, computer sciences, engineering, physics, etc. We decided to frame our inquiry activity in the context of Earth systems. The scope of our activity includes the interconnection between disciplines and the growing concern for future climate change. We had three "starter" activities that were simple models of ocean acidification, thermohaline interactions, and surface temperatures. After visiting each station, groups of 3-4 students developed and investigated questions pertaining to their initial starter. After free-form investigations, the instructors gave the groups figures that contained scientific data to help incorporate their small-scale models into a global system. We also provided a climate model demonstration and Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction presentation. The purpose of these "thinking tools" was to help students critically evaluate the thresholds between Earth's physical systems. Overall, our goal to provide a cross-disciplinary activity and help build community between transfer students was successful.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The Tipping Point: Thresholds Between Earth's Physical Systems does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The Tipping Point: Thresholds Between Earth's Physical Systems, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Tipping Point: Thresholds Between Earth's Physical Systems will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1385638