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 record the corresponding temperatures as the experiment proceeds. They relate their findings to actual data on the increased carbon dioxide concentration in our atmosphere. It would be beneficial to provide atmospheric temperatures for the same time period to make the connection more obvious. Overall, this is a terrific lesson plan on a foundational topic.