Machines that change climate: Porsche 911 Turbo vs. Toyota Prius
| Rating: | Not rated yet |
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| Type: | Course Related Materials |
| Grade Level: | Post-secondary |
Abstract: This activity asks students make 'back-of-the-envelope' calculations to estimate the amount of carbon dioxide released to the environment by different types of automobiles. It shows students that decisions they make can significantly alter the amount of greenhouse gases they release to the environment. It also helps students learn about exponential growth by calculating how the money saved by purchasing an inexpensive car can be invested to great advantage. The exercise is designed for non-science majors to illustrate important concepts for understanding global warming. It can be modified for higher-level courses and adapted to other courses related to global change. Learning goals, context for use, teaching tips, materials, assessment tips and related resources are provided.
