Climate Change Lesson 11 : Water Balance and the Great Lakes
Climagraphs can tell us about the seasonal shifts in climate due to climate change. Changes in growing season and water balance in the Great Lakes region will have economic impacts.
Students will answer these essential questions:
What is water balance and how does it affect lake levels in the Great Lakes?
How does climate change affect the Great Lakes region?
Subject/Target Grade
Science and Social Studies/ Middle School and High School
Duration
One 45-50 minute period – Classroom setting
Materials
From MEECS Climate Change Resource DVD
• Water Balance and the Great Lakes Instructional PowerPoint
per class
• Climagraph of Detroit and Climagraph of Detroit, redesigned (transparency master)
• Level of Lake Michigan (transparency master)
• Effects of Climate Change on the Great Lakes (answer key)
per student
• How Climate Change Can Alter the Water Balance (student activity)
• Water Level in Lake Michigan (student activity)
• Climate Change and the Great Lakes (student resource)
• Effects of Climate Change on the Great Lakes (student activity)