Teaching Scientific Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning Using Large Datasets and Inquiry-Based Learning

This module guides students in an examination of how surface ocean productivity relates to global climate on glacial-interglacial timescales and how the availability of ocean nutrients can be correlated with changes in productivity.

Students use GapMinder, an interactive data exploration and visualization tool, to assess human impact on Earth systems. Using the impact = population x affluence x technology (IPAT) framework students examine sustainability metrics by country over time.

Sustainability metrics and indices are measures of sustainability, and attempt to quantify beyond the general concept. Though there are disagreements among those from different disciplines (and influenced by different beliefs about the nature of the good society), these disciplines and international organizations have each offered measures or indicators of how to measure the concept.