ABSTRACT
Some scientists argue that global warming has increased the severity and frequency of tornadoes and hurricanes while other scientists have argued that global warming has had no impact on tornadoes and hurricanes. This chapter evaluates competing scientific arguments, and the different data that the scientists used to support their argument. The vignettes required students to analyze and interpret scientific data, evaluate and compare contrasting views, and deal with uncertainty. Understanding how students make meaning of scientific arguments about global warming and climate change is critical to developing curricular materials and pedagogical approaches that better prepare students to make informed decisions about global warming and climate change. The vignettes were reviewed by science education researchers, a climatologist, and a science teacher. Semi-structured, open-ended interview questions were used to investigate the students' understanding of the scientific arguments presented in the vignettes.
