Curated OER
Carbon Dioxide - Sources and Sinks
Where does all of the carbon dioxide come from that is supposedly leading to climate change? Earth science pupils test animal, plant, and fossil fuels as sources in this investigation. Using an indicator, BTB, they are able to detect the...
Curated OER
Sampling Carbon Dioxide
Students perform an experiment to determine which source of gas (their breath, exhaust from a car, or the air in the classroom) has a greater concentration of carbon dioxide. Students compare the colors of BTB solutions after...
Curated OER
The Greenhouse Effect
Why does it get so hot inside of our cars in the summertime? The greenhouse effect! Lab groups experiment to see what happens to an ice cube enclosed in a jar and placed in sunlight as compared to an ice cube outside of the jar. They...
Curated OER
Bringing The Greenhouse Effect Down To Earth (CO2 experiment)
Students compare 4 different form of carbon dioxide and discuss the role that carbon dioxide has in the Greenhouse Effect. They then understand that the Greenhouse Effect is a naturally occurring event.
Rainforest Alliance
Trees and Carbon
You'll find everything but the kitchen sink here ... or just a carbon sink. In the activity, pairs or groups of middle school learners go outside and measure a tree's circumference and height to estimate its carbon storage potential and...
Curated OER
CO2 Dragster Challenge CO2 Dragster Challenge
Eighth graders construct a car out of a block of basswood. In this car activity students research, design and construct their own cars.
Curated OER
Global Climate Change: The Effects of Global Warming
Students study the concepts of global warming and climate change as they relate to the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. They examine the changes in glacial ice in relation to global warming. They decide how human activities,...
Curated OER
Carbon Cycles
Students examine the carbon cycle and how carbon atoms travel through it. In this energy cycles lesson students describe how human activities affect the carbon cycle.
Curated OER
Words In the News Big Rise in CO2
Middle schoolers complete vocabulary and word work activities including an online quiz. They read an online article while focusing on answering specific information questions. They discuss ways to improve the environment and present them...
Discovery Education
Drive it Green
Explore and brainstorm innovations for cars with a STEM activity that asks scholars to weigh different options when considering when buying a car. They research the fuel efficiency and carbon emissions for various options, and then...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Lab 1: Nanocatalysts Clean Your Car Emissions
What a big job for such a small particle. Young scientists learn about the role of nanoparticles in catalytic converters for cars. They conduct an experiment to create alginate-MnO2 catalytic spheres.
Curated OER
Air Pollution and Health
Middle schoolers use Internet research to become familiar with the environmental and health effects of the six criteria pollutants identified by the U.S. EPA, along with the greenhouse effect and carbon dioxide.
Curated OER
It Looks Like Champagne
High schoolers determine some practical implications of the discovery of liquid carbon dioxide in deep-ocean ecosystems. They interpret phase diagrams and explain the meaning of "critical point" and "triple point."
Curated OER
Solar Cars
Students research the causes and effects of air pollution. Using the internet, they examine the specific effects of carbon dioxide on the environment and discover the benefits of using solar power. In groups, they build a model of a...
Curated OER
Where in the World is Carbon Dixoide?
Students conduct experiments designed to detect the presence of CO2 by using a BTB that changes color (blue to yellow) in the presence of CO2. First, students experiment with the CO2 from combining vinegar and baking soda. In part two,...
Curated OER
How Does the Loss of Ozone Affect Our Climate
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.
Curated OER
Lake Ice Out Lessons
Students explore the greenhouse effect. For this environment lesson, students describe how "ice out" affects animals and plants who live in a Maine lake. Students graph "ice out" data and make predictions about the upcoming...
Curated OER
People Changing the Atmosphere Lab
Students examine ways to reduce the greenhouse effect. Students keep a "CO2 Journal" to help establish a connection between their own behavior and its impact on global warming as well as discover ways to reduce global warming.
Curated OER
Weather
Students recognize that carbon dioxide's role in the greenhouse effect. They research the greenhouse effect to design and create a greenhouse structure to measure the changing temperatures over a 24-hour period. In addition, they write a...
Curated OER
Ethanol
Pupils explore how to fuel cars with corn and then test different items to explore the process of fermentation.
Curated OER
Lots of Leaf
In this science worksheet, students read and analyze information about leaves. Students will consider the 5 questions: How is a leaf like a cook? How is a leaf like a fan? How is a leaf like a pair of lungs? How does a leaf affect the...
Curated OER
Off Base
Students study La Chatelier's principle and identify how carbon dioxide may affect pH. In this coral lesson students complete a worksheet on pH and observe a lab.
Curated OER
MOBILITY, Traveling Lightly: What’s My Footprint?
Students calculate their carbon footprint. In this environmental technology lesson, students listen to a lecture on climate change. Students brainstorm solutions to reduce environmental impact based on travel options. Students calculate...
Curated OER
NASA's Mars Gamble Pays Off Part 2
Tenth graders explore the planet of Mars. In this Earth Science lesson, 10th graders read articles on the make up of Mars. Students complete a worksheet on their reading.