Modeling Climate

Posted May 30, 2017 by sgibbs

What are the advantages of using computer models to study climate?  Post your reflection and Model Observation form here.

Comments

Submitted by eso on Thu, 06/29/2017 - 15:06 · Permalink

Climate takes place over a long period of time, longer than we could ever directly observe, especially in a classroom lesson. The alternative would be to review graphs and charts of previously collected data and work with data visualization and analysis. 

I like computer modeling because they're interactive and more engaging. Scholars can experiment with different variables and see what happens when they change a factor. 

Submitted by kcwgtt on Thu, 06/29/2017 - 20:53 · Permalink

Computer models used to study climate can easily isolate agents to explore their effect on climate. The amount of time to evaluate climate change can be compressed by using computer models. 

Submitted by person11d on Mon, 08/07/2017 - 00:47 · Permalink

This is a very insightful way of observing climate. The greenhouse effect is a very abstract idea for students, they can't really see the gases, they may just be able to feel or see the effects of it. By creating this model, students can see how climate is affected by solar energy. Through the model, students can then explore how different variables impact the Earth's temperature and observe the graphs adjust to the changes being made.