Carbon Teacher Resources

Why did carbon marry hydrogen? They bonded well from the minute they met. Here is a video that focuses on the essential chemicals for life: water, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. It relates each of these to macromolecules and the way...

An educational lesson focuses on the idea of conservation of matter through a demonstration of the water cycle, a discussion of digesting food, and the path of carbon and oxygen atoms as they change form. 

Uranium 235 has a half-life of over 700 million years and is the fuel used in the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan. Pupils see the half-lives and decay rates of Carbon-14 and Uranium-238. They also take measurements of these two...

This lecture continues the concept of CO2 being stored in the form of acid before use in photosynthesis.

This is the fourth video in a series of 5 where Sal works through examples of more complicated carbon chains.

Repetition of the naming rules and numbering of carbons after diagramming a molecule will help your aspiring chemists. The video includes and builds upon the previous examples of naming enantiomers and stereoisomers.

It is recommended that you conduct this fabulous experiment as a whole-class demonstration. Collect air samples from the environment, human exhalation, and car exhaust, then compare them for carbon dioxide content using bromthymol blue...

Teach your environmental studies, life science, or engineering class how an internal combustion engine works using the first few slides of the accompanying presentation. Then, focus in on the resulting carbon emissions. Finally, take a...

Little chemists observe the effects of acid on calcium carbonate as an example of chemical change. As a demonstration you will place a raw egg in vinegar overnight, and as a lab activity, learners drip vinegar onto a piece of chalk....

Sal continues to work through examples of naming carbon chains. He is very clear and logical, so your class should understand this clearly. The video introduces branching and identifying where the additional group is located. Note: there...

Students observe air quality and monoxide data. In this air quality lesson, students draw conclusions and manipulate data from a one year period on changes in air quality.

Explore structures within the realm of gas exchange in terrestrial and aquatic life.  The excellent, labelled diagrams and clear descriptions help your students view the different structures and adaptations that have...

This is an exceptional series that you can use in an environmental or engineering unit. There are four lessons: "Sustainable Transportation," "Designing for Safety," "Changing the Landscape," and "Engaging in Policy." Each lesson...

In this colorful animation, our current problem with climate change is likened to a block-stacking game of Tetris. Greenhouse gases are increasing in the atmosphere at an increasing rate. Can we place them properly before it's too late?...

Have you been searching for environmentally friendly chemistry experiments to use in your high school laboratory? This stoichiometry experiment replaces a conventional aluminum to alum lab by using sodium carbonate and calcium...

Fifth graders observe a diagram of the oxygen-carbon dioxide cycle to know that when they breathe out, they exhale carbon dioxide as do animals. They observe an aquarium containing both plants and fish and discuss the cycle. They then...

High schoolers examine carbon output. In this climate change lesson, students plan and complete an assessment of local businesses and schools based on the carbon output of their electrical usage.

Students examine CO2 atmospheric levels. In this atmospheric lesson plan, students examine the correlation between CO2 levels and global warming.

Students use Internet research to determine the amount of carbon dioxide produced per unit energy for biomass and coal. In this alternative energy instructional activity, students research to find out how much energy and carbon dioxide...

Students explore oxygen properties by conducting a cell experiment in class. For this respiration lesson, students discuss the process of breathing and how oxygen is inhaled before carbon dioxide is exhaled. Students utilize yeast,...

In this energy consumption worksheet, learners use on line resources to explore the energy use by different countries around the world. Students compare the amount of light emitted by different countries and their carbon dioxide...

Fifth graders identify organisms and processes involved in three cycles: the water cycle, the carbon cycle, and the nitrogen cycle. They produce a pictorial or abstract water cycle, and appropriately place life forms onto an existing...

Students examine the different techniques that may be used to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.  In this ocean pollution lesson students divide into groups and complete a lab to see how the ocean holds carbon dioxide.

Students explore the Carbon Mitigation Initiative by playing the Wedge Game. In this environmental science instructional activity, students discuss different strategies to reduce carbon emissions. They evaluate their strategies and rate...