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Objectives: - students will be able to critically analyze
TOMS ozone data to determine if ozone depletion exists
Summary: Although it is generally common knowledge that ozone
levels have decreased globally in the last 30 years, that might not
be the case locally. In fact, after some research, some of your
students might find that the ozone above their town has in fact been
increasing. Using this information, this project can be used in a
couple of ways:
(1) Set up a debate between the people that find the condition of the ozone layer to be worrisome, against those that are not concerned. Be sure they present evidence!
(2) Set up this project in conjunction with your school library and have them also research WHY the ozone layer is getting worse or better. (ie- the production of CFC's, etc). There is also excellent data available on the web for this as well.
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**As a teacher, it is important to realize that some websites and scientists conclude that a lack of ozone does not increase skin cancer. It is important to know that Science has proven a correlation between an increase in UV sunlight and an increase in harm to biological functions. In turn, a 1% decrease in ozone correlates to a 2% increase in UV radiation hitting the surface. Obviously the situation is a little more complex, because ozone is not the only gas that blocks UV radiation. (It might be interesting to probe what other gases also block UV.) Regardless, care must be taken when researching "unofficial" or "unscientific" websites or literature. |
Coding:
Maryland Core Learning Goals (Science):
National Standards (Science): A1,3,4,5,6 ; D1 ; F1,4,5 ;
G3
National Standards (Geography): 1, 2, 3, 14, 15
National Standards (Mathematics): 1, 2.2, 4.1, 4.2, 4.4, 10.1,
10.2, 10.7, 10.8