Carbon Teacher Resources

Young scholars create an ecosystem in a jar to show a model of the water, carbon, and nitrogen cycle. Working in small groups, they research and present orally the information they find on this cycle.

Students perform an experiment to determine the stomaltal index on the upper and lower epidermis of two species of leaves. Stomatal densities change in response to changing atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide and to annual rainfall.

Students investigate the amount of starch in a plant under 3 different conditions. For this photosynthesis lesson plan, students compare the amount of starch in a plant with increased carbon dioxide conditions, a plant with decreased...

Students investigate how geologic sequestration reduces carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere. In this earth science instructional activity, students simulate oil mining in the lab. They write down their observations and...

Students explore the greenhouse effect and what it does to the environment. They discuss if and how human behavior contributes to global warming and test natural materials for carbon content.

Fifth graders identify the chemical and physical changes in the water cycle, carbon cycle, and the effects of weathering. They analyze the periodic table, and observe how vinegar reacts with limestone in a chemical reaction that causes...

Middle schoolers identify that yeast are a single celled fungi that are a great model organism for studying respiration in the classroom. They also fill the bulb of a disposable pipet (eyedropper) with yeast, then submerge the pipet in...

Students investigate the growth of yeast in a sugar solution. They verify the pressure of carbon dioxide using bromothymol blue. Students are asked to describe the difference between the contents of the test tubes used and to explain...

Students investigate photosynthesis in water plants. In this photosynthesis lesson plan, students use the elodea plant and observe gas bubbles released to determine the rate of photosynthesis. They vary the light intensity and the amount...

Amaze soil scientists with a list of the myriad of microorganisms residing in a mere 1/4 teaspoon of soil! Then take them on a ride through the carbon cycle, down to the level of decomposers. Finally, give more specific details about the...

Students create a flowchart of the carbon footprint of food from production to disposal. In this biology lesson, students brainstorm ways to reduce greenhouse gases by smart food choices. They create a blog promoting ways to eat low...

Climate change affects even the largest and intimidating of landforms—even Mount Everest! A resource helps teach learners the connection between global climate change and its effects on Earth. Activities include videos, class discussion,...

If tap water is more acidic than ocean water, why are we so concerned about ocean acidification? The third installment of a 23-part NOAA Enrichment in Marine sciences and Oceanography (NEMO) program focuses on carbon dioxide levels in...

One-third of all carbon emissions comes from transportation in the United States. The third lesson in a 13-part series on Exploring Energy offers ideas on how to reduce emissions from cars, airplanes, large trucks, and more. 

Structure an activity around atoms. Learners use their knowledge of the parts of atoms—the protons, neutrons, and electrons—to build a model of a carbon atom. Scholars create a nucleus by using clay balls to represent the protons and...

Part three in the series of seven has pupils discussing the different greenhouses gases, learning about the carbon cycle, and then watching a short video about the carbon cycle. Based on their knowledge, individuals complete a greenhouse...

Do animals breathe faster when given more oxygen or more carbon dioxide? Young scientists observe the respiration rates of locusts under a variety of gas concentrations to answer that very question. They collect data, analyze the...

A woman had a job crushing cans at the recycling plant; it was soda pressing. Video focuses on the ways our environment recycles, including the water cycle, carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, and the phosphorus cycle. It also describes the...

Scientists created a new measurement, the atomic mass unit, which is defined as carbon 12 = 12amu. So why isn't carbon listed as having exactly 12 amu on the periodic table? An installment from the Socratica chemistry playlist answers...

How do greenhouse gases affect the climate on Earth?  Pupils explore the concept by first building their own apparatuses to model the greenhouse effect. Then, they record data to measure temperature change and determine...

Viewers follow the paths of oxygen and carbon dioxide through the human respiratory organs and the path of the molecules through the human circulatory system, in a short video about how the body delivers oxygen and picks up...

The last activity in the series of four has individuals determine steps they can take to reduce their carbon footprints and then analyze their schools' recycling programs. Through a sustainability audit, they identify how and where their...

It is unknown if cloud cover increases in response to carbon dioxide levels changing, helping climate change slow down, or if cloud cover decreases, allowing Earth to warm faster. Part four in the series of five lessons has classes...

Scientists use ice core samples to obtain temperatures of the earth from 400,000 years ago! The third of five lessons instructs pupils to interpret historical climate data to see changes over time. In part I, participants interpret...