Skip to main content
Menu

Resources for teachers on teaching climate science in A-Level Physics from CPDN, University of Oxford

Stock image, storm seen from space

A-Level Physics

These materials are aimed at any AS/A2 course.

There are several links between the work that the CPDN (climateprediction.net) team are doing and the Advancing Physics AS / A2 course: See the Teachers’ notes for some specific ideas.

 

Title and description Notes
Using CPDN with Advancing Physics

 

Teachers’ notes (pdf, 100KB)

 

Introducing Climate Prediction

 

Suggested use of simple climate model and presentation Teachers’ notes and lesson plan (pdf, 90KB)

Introduction, including the simple climate model (pdf, 260KB)

 

Climate Modelling using Modellus

 

Students’ worksheet, requires Modellus (pdf, 170KB)

 

Simple Climate Model

 

Teachers’ notes calculator version (pdf, 140KB)

Students’ notes (pdf, 120KB)

Excel worksheet version (xls, 14KB)

 

Simple Climate Model – programming extension

 

For advanced students, replaces spreadsheet Excel version (pdf, 80KB)

 

Simple Climate Model

 

Paper and calculator worksheet (pdf, 100KB)

 

CPDN results so far

 

Analysis exercise, teachers’ notes. Does not require the CPDN model to be running (pdf, 110KB)

Analysis exercise does not require the CPDN model to be running (pdf, 300KB)

 

The logistic equation

 

Spreadsheet exercise Stand-alone exercise uses the logistic equation as an example of a chaotic system (xls, 30KB)

Students’ worksheet Stand-alone exercise uses the logistic equation as an example of a chaotic system (pdf, 140KB)

Teachers’ notes Stand-alone exercise uses the logistic equation as an example of a chaotic system (pdf, 40KB)

 

Advanced Climate Model

 

Students’ notes Spreadsheet looking at the possible mechanisms of climate change (pdf, 110KB)

Spreadsheet looking at the possible mechanisms of climate change (xls, 150KB)

 

Science Behind the Headlines

 

Summary document for teachers Discussion exercise looking at the portrayal of science and scientists in the media (doc, 30KB)

Stories behind the headlines Discussion exercise looking at the portrayal of science and scientists in the media (doc, 30KB)
News article on the effect of heat waves on plants Discussion exercise looking at the portrayal of science and scientists in the media (doc, 70KB)

Final discussion Discussion exercise looking at the portrayal of science and scientists in the media (doc, 20KB)