Students use a simple pH indicator to measure how much CO2 is produced during respiration, at rest and after exercising. They begin by comparing some common household solutions in order to determine the color change of the indicator. They review the concepts of pH and respiration and extend their knowledge to measuring the effectiveness of bioremediation in the environment.

Students are introduced to the concept of energy cycles by learning about the carbon cycle. They will learn how carbon atoms travel through the geological (ancient) carbon cycle and the biological/physical carbon cycle. Students will consider how human activities have disturbed the carbon cycle by emitting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. They will discuss how engineers and scientists are working to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Lastly, students will consider how they can help the world through simple energy conservation measures.

Suney Park wants her students to know that what they learn in class is relevant to their lives and the world. In this introduction, she shows us how her students come up with a plan to recreate the Earth and its atmosphere and test their own hypotheses about rising CO2 levels.

Suney Park's hands-on activity has her students making the greenhouse effect happen in a model. Using a light bulb for the sun, they create different control groups that imitate Earth's atmosphere with the help of a soda bottle. This adds up to a meaningful experience that connects what students learn in class to real-world events.

After a month studying climate change, students create models of the earth and its atmosphere, and design experiments to test the variables involved in climate change. Students write their own driving questions, develop hypotheses, and build the models to use in their experiments.

Suney Park has her class of scientists set up their experiments step-by-step. Even though it can be chaotic and mistakes can be made, there is purpose and meaning to having the kids be responsible for all aspects of the experiment and the learning that goes on in that process.

This question is addressed through a series of questions and answers, each providing related introductory information such as how climate change is studied, the history of Earth‰Ûªs climate, and the effects of climate change on Earth‰Ûªs geology and biology. The Climate Kids website is a NASA education resource featuring articles, videos, images and games focused on the science of climate change.

Use the imbedded sliding scale to observe changes in sea ice distribution, carbon emission levels and average global temperatures over time, as well as the effects of variations in sea level rise along coastal regions. This interactive is part of the Climate Kids website, a NASA education resource featuring articles, videos, images and games focused on the science of climate change.

MIT has developed Climate Science, Risk & Solutions, an interactive online textbook on climate change. It features clear navigation, extensive content, and engaging elements such as read-aloud sections, interactive graphs, and quizzes. Divided into sections like Climate Science, Change, Risk, and Solutions, it includes a glossary with hover-over definitions, additional resources, and a FAQ section. Users can also download the content as a PDF.

Note -
If the dense text is challenging, consider using audio alongside the written sections for easier comprehension. Focus on the interactive parts and quizzes if you're unable to cover the entire site, maximizing engagement with the most interactive features.

Students observe demonstrations, and build and evaluate simple models to understand the greenhouse effect and the role of increased greenhouse gas concentration in global warming.

Students learn about material balances, a fundamental concept of chemical engineering. They use stoichiometry to predict the mass of carbon dioxide that escapes after reacting measured quantities of sodium bicarbonate with dilute acetic acid. Students then produce the reactions of the chemicals in a small reactor made from a plastic water bottle and balloon.

Through an overview of some of the environmental challenges facing the growing and evolving country of China today, students learn about the effects of indoor and outdoor air pollution that China is struggling to curb with the help of engineers and scientists. This includes the sources of particulate matter 2.5 and carbon dioxide, and air pollution impacts on the health of people and the environment.

Students observe demonstrations, and build and evaluate simple models to understand the greenhouse effect, the role of increased greenhouse gas concentration in global warming, and the implications of global warming theory for engineers, themselves and the Earth. In an associated literacy activity, students learn how a bill becomes law and research global warming legislation.

This unit covers the processes of photosynthesis, extinction, biomimicry and bioremediation. In the first lesson on photosynthesis, students learn how engineers use the natural process of photosynthesis as an exemplary model of a complex yet efficient process for converting solar energy to chemical energy or distributing water throughout a system. In the next lesson on species extinction, students learn that it is happening at an alarming rate. Students discover that the destruction of habitat is the main reason many species are threatened and how engineers are trying to stop this habitat destruction. The third lesson introduces students to the idea of biomimicry or looking to nature for engineering ideas. And, in the fourth and final lesson, students learn about a specialty branch of engineering called bioremediation the use of living organisms to aid in the clean up of pollutant spills.

"BLOSSOMS video lessons are enriching students' learning experiences in high school classrooms...Our Video Library contains over 100 math and science lessons, all freely available to teachers as streaming video and Internet downloads and as DVDs and videotapes."

Learn about:
*biology
*math
*engineering
*chemistry
*physics

Select Videos (then video library), Projects or Resources (then your subject) from the top menu and the subject you'd like resource for to get started.

In this short demo/activity, a balloon with baking soda in it is stretched over the mouth of a flask or bottle containing vinegar. The balloon is tipped so that the baking soda falls into the vinegar, and the reaction creates carbon dioxide, which inflates the balloon. The activity is part of the children's book, The Air We Breathe.

The ocean and atmosphere continually exchange particles and gases in a kind of ongoing "dialogue" that influences regional and global climate. This site explains the chemical link between the ocean and atmosphere. Emphasis is on the ocean's ability to store and release water vapor and carbon dioxide, both of which contribute to the greenhouse effect. Features include text, a scientific illustration, and links to other relevant topics, data sets, and satellite missions.

This lesson covers the process of photosynthesis and the related plant cell functions of transpiration and cellular respiration. Students will learn how engineers can use the natural process of photosynthesis as an exemplary model of a complex yet efficient process for converting solar energy to chemical energy or distributing water throughout a system.

Students determine their carbon footprints by answering questions about their everyday lifestyle choices. Then they engineer plans to reduce them. Students learn about their personal impacts on global climate change and how they can help the environment.

EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE
This short animated video is the first part of a two part series on carbon dioxide and carbon capture and storage. Part one explores where carbon dioxide comes from, the role it plays in the atmosphere, and the efforts that humans are making to control, reduce and mange carbon dioxide emissions. For Part 2, check out "Do you know what carbon capture and storage is?".

ABOUT THE SCIENCE
There are many ways that plants benefit both humans and animals. Humans and animals breathe in the oxygen that is created by plants and in return they exhale, or breathe out, carbon dioxide. Plants then take in the carbon dioxide and release more oxygen.
Carbon dioxide, also known as CO2, is a naturally occurring substance that is made up of carbon (C) and oxygen (O2). Both humans and animals exhale carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, but it can also come from decomposing bio-matter.
Carbon dioxide is considered a greenhouse gas, which is to say it helps to control the Earth’s temperature by keeping thermal energy from the Sun in the atmosphere. Many of the things we do every day produce greenhouse gasses and it is important for us to control, manage and reduce the amount we put into the atmosphere. Too much or too little cause an imbalance in the Earth's temperature. Some things you can do to help reduce the greenhouse effect are practical and easy to put into use:
• Reduce, reuse, recycle can help reduce the CO2 .
• Take up walking and biking instead of using the car.
• Use less hot water in the shower or the laundry.
• Save on electricity. Use that “Off” switch.
• Plant a tree every year you are in school or celebrate a special annual event by planting a new tree! Earth Day is April 22nd!