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About This Simulation
Join Dr. One in a spaceship and explore the drivers of natural climatic variations during the Earth’s past. Learn about the natural factors which can change the climate on Earth, and analyze the timescales and geographical extent of their effects.
Learning Objectives
- Connect astronomical, geological, and biological factors to climate change in Earth’s history
- Differentiate climate impacting factors by the duration and scale of their effect
About This Simulation
Lab Techniques
Related Standards
- ESS2.A-H3
- HS-ESS2-4
Learn More About This Simulation
Climate change is one of the biggest challenges of our time. In this simulation, you will learn which astronomical, geological, and biological factors caused climate change in Earth’s past. The geological record reveals that natural climate variations occurred over short, medium, and long timescales. Learning about Earth’s past climate is crucial for understanding global warming today.
Explore climate change on all timescales
The Earth’s climate system is very complex. On our spaceship, we simulate Earth’s past climate variations with three different models. You can also explore evidence and learn how scientists gain information on past climatic conditions.
Change the Earth’s tilt angle to simulate interglacials and glacials (i.e. warmer and colder climatic periods within the current Ice Age). Journey through 250 million years of plate tectonic activity to learn how mountains, ocean currents, and the supercontinent Pangaea influenced Earth’s climate. Explore how slow changes in land cover and vegetation compare to the intense climatic effects of volcanic eruptions and asteroid impacts. And finally, understand how volcanic activity can cause both global warming and cooling - but on very different timescales.
Fast-forward through Earth’s past climate history
Geological processes take millions of years to change Earth’s surface and influence the climate. In this simulation, you can speed up natural processes and their effects. In just a few seconds, observe how Earth’s climate changes over thousands or millions of years. The simulation also visualizes climatic effects on Earth's ice sheets and oceans. Compare the duration and intensity of different factors, or zoom out to see Earth from space. All of this will help you to better understand the global climate system!
Calibrate the climate model
Plant forests or trigger volcanic eruptions and asteroid impacts to learn how they affect Earth’s climate on different timescales. Gather climate data and make your own observations. Can you predict how the effects combine and calibrate the climate model?
Experience Labster for Yourself
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Easily bolster your learning objectives with relevant, interactive content
Practice a lab procedure or visualize theory through narrative-driven scenarios
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For Science Programs Providing a Learning Advantage
North Dakota State College of Science
“They did the simulation at home, then completed the in-person lab within 30 minutes, no questions asked, and passed the quiz with flying colors.”
Lecturer in Human Physiology
University of Westminster
"I saw some of the students who clearly didn’t necessarily like sitting there reading a book discover they could turn on Labster and keep up with the rest of the class because it spoke to them.
Modesto City Schools
"Having something that's engaging for the students gives teachers that opportunity to breathe and get excited again. Because they're seeing the kids light up, they're seeing the kids engage with content."
Wenatchee Valley College
"The question always is, ‘Can we demonstrate that the students are meeting course outcomes?’ Check! We can do that.”
San José State University
"We surveyed over 400 students. More than 90% thought Labster was easy to navigate, and that it was fun, but more importantly, most of them felt confident that they could execute the labs in person. And that confidence is a big deal."
FAQs
Find answers to frequently asked questions.
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Labster is hosted online, which means that students only have to login from their internet browsers once an account is created.
Labster is only available for purchase by faculty and administration at academic institutions. To procure Labster, simply reach out to us on our website. Schedule a demo, book a meeting to discuss pricing, start a free trial, or simply fill out our contact form.
Labster simulations are created by real scientists and designed with unparalleled interactivity. Unlike point and click competitors, Labster simulations immerse students and encourage mastery through active learning.
Labster supports a wide range of courses at the high school and university level across fields in biology, chemistry and physics. Some simulations mimic lab procedures with high fidelity to train foundational skills, while others are meant to bring theory to life through interactive scenarios.