One of my goals for this unit is for students to be able to explain or describe the implications of climate change locally and globally. To do this, students will be switching from note-taking to studying a simulation in order to practice recording data/observations to support their claims. One lab that I think will be perfect for this is an Ice Core lab.
Climate scientists already practice this - looking at ice samples that show the different gases in the atmosphere over years. For students to experience this in the classroom, ice core samples are created to mimic what scientists will see. Students will record data and observations, then answer analysis questions afterwards. Students will be hands-on and engaged; practicing verbal and writing skills. Before the lab, I will be giving short lectures on introducing new vocabulary and emphasizing key ideas.
My CT has already planned the overall question for the climate unit to be: Is Colorado getting drier? Within this unit, I know my smaller unit will focus on global warming (greenhouse gases). Planning for this lab was important for my unit because I needed an activity to get students engaged. I already know the standards that need to be taught, and I know the content that students need to know. However, I needed an activity so that I wouldn't have to lecture for an hour and a half. I know that my focus class does very well when they have to work in groups, and they always love the opportunity to talk with each other. Additionally, this Ice Core Lab simulates what real climate scientists do to analyze global atmosphere conditions. Students can see how "do-able" the activity is and relate more to being scientists rather than be intimidated by the thought that it's still too hard.