Class Infographics

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(Infographics on Slide 9 and 10 of the presentation)

Organizing Information with Infographics

It takes a lot of work to design a quality infographic.   These graphics are fact-heavy.  What do they tell you about climate change? Sometimes, they tell you way TOOO much, and you brain goes into overload. Organize your thinking for class about which infographic is the best and which is the least helpful.  Explain your reasoning.

  

USA Today is perhaps the king of simple infographics, focusing on one subject, or snapshot.  How does the USA today infographic differ from the ones above?

Of course, the quality of the information in an infographic is key.  Usually, sources are cited someplace (in itty-bitty type) at the bottom of the infographic.  If that is missing, the graphic lacks credibility.  CHECK the sources!

You want to use visual organization to provide information in a way that leaves the reader wanting to think about the topic.  Your assignment is creating a credible graphic about one possible solution to the issue of climate change.   Highlight the most pertinent facts of climate change and the hope that this solution offers.

How do we evaluate the quality of an infographic?

A rubric from kathyschrock.net 

Quiz, Unit on Climate Change

ON the left side of my desk is a quiz.   Students need to take it.

Take notes over the following.  Each link should have 1-4 sentences.

Carbon Dioxide Trends:  http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/ccgg/trends/
Methane Trends:  http://cdiac.ornl.gov/trends/atm_meth/lawdome_meth-graphics.html

Ice Core Trends  http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/warnings/stories/
Extreme weather events:   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_extreme_weather_events
Extreme weather events 2:  http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/severeweather/extremes.html
Ocean Temperature Trends:   http://chartsgraphs.wordpress.com/2009/09/04/global-sea-surface-temperature-trends-1850-2009/

Water Depth Trends:   http://flood.firetree.net/

Chapter 7:  Sections 1-5

Focus on the relationships detailed in the Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Sulfur Cycles as you read this.

Endangered Species in Iowa

Go to http://www.iowaagriculture.gov/livingontheedge.asp

to see the Regulations, endangered animals, and endangered plants in Iowa.

1.  Summarize the regulations Iowans must follow from the introduction.

2.  List l0 species that are threatened or endangered.  Explain WHY they are endangered, in your opinion, and give a piece of evidence to support your claim.

Biodiversity Questions

Think of your species or program that was studied.

• How is the health and stability of the ecosystem in which you live related to biodiversity and your species?
• When does a species 'change' change the biodiversity of a locale?
• Are human efforts to preserve a species enough?  In the big scheme of things, should we just let nature take its course?
• If a species is eliminated, how critical is that?

• What are the root causes of  biodiversity loss?
• Is it possible to 'abandon' a biome?
• What impact will biodiversity loss have on humans and other life?
• How can we protect biodiversity?

http://sciencecases.lib.buffalo.edu/cs/files/matrix.pdf

What is the Optimal Carrying Capacity

Nine Meals

Food Security

Food Production Index


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Carrying Capacity Calculations are tough.

http://www.biog1105-1106.org/demos/106/unit09/media/16.carryingcapacity.pdf


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One last consideration

Textbook, Chapter 5, Sections 4-5-6


Define quality life vs. definition survival.  Using that, you are going identify a set of four solutions that will help with population control (poster or other) and a rationale for your choices.   When you get done, express three cultural or religious values that influenced your choice.

Tragedy of the Commons

Real Life Examples of the Tragedy of the Commons

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Read sections 1-4 of Chapter 5 of The Habitable Planet.   Generate a list of ten or more  questions that you think need to be answered in terms of impact on biomes, effects on the commons, and what we have valued since the industrial revolution.   You should have 6-10 questions.   Upload these to a Google Doc and share with me.

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Learn about the three types of population pyramids using the link. 

Population Pyramids by Country

Population Pyramid and Life Expectancy