As a high school Chemistry teacher, you can use this set of computer-based tools to help you in teaching the chemistry of carbon and its compounds, the interaction of greenhouse gas molecules with electromagnetic radiation, and environmental chemistry
This lesson plan allows students to visualize the molecular structure of atmospheric gases and to understand the effect of electromagnetic radiation on these molecules. The activity will also introduce the topic of greenhouse gases and their role in climate change.
Thus, the use of this Lesson Plan allows you to integrate the teaching of a climate science topic with a core topic in Chemistry
The tools in this lesson plan will enable students to:
Here is a step-by-step guide to using this lesson plan in the classroom/laboratory. We have suggested these steps as a possible plan of action. You may customize the lesson plan according to your preferences and requirements.
Reading (5–10 min)
Micro-lecture (~8 min)
Now play this micro-lecture (video, approx. 8 min) to explain the interaction of molecules such as CO2 with electromagnetic radiation, and the resulting molecular vibrations that lead to the greenhouse effect in the atmosphere.
Reading (15 mins)
Next, explore this topic in an interactive and engaging manner by using a visualization tool, “The Greenhouse Effect”, from PhET.
The tool will help your students to visualize the molecular structure of carbon compounds (CO2, CH4), explore the effect of electromagnetic radiation on the molecules, and understand the role of greenhouse gases in climate change.
Suggested questions/assignments for learning evaluation
Use the tools and the concepts learned so far to discuss and determine answers to the following questions:
Use this lesson plan to help your students find answers to:
| 1 | Video | A video in which Iain Stewart demonstrates infrared radiation absorption by CO2 in a scene from BBC’s “Earth: The Climate Wars” documentary:
This can be accessed here. |
| 2 | Visualization | An interactive visualization tool, “Greenhouse Gases”, from Concord Consortium’s Innovative Technology
in Science Inquiry:
This can be accessed here . |
| 1 | Reading, “Carbon Dioxide Absorbs and Reemits Infrared Radiation” | UCAR Center for Science Education |
| 2 | Micro-lecture (video) | David Archer, the University of Chicago |
| 3 | Classroom-Laboratory Activity, “The Greenhouse Effect” | By PhET Interactive Simulations |
| 3 | Additional Resources | Iain Stewart;
Concord Consortium |
Here is a step-by-step guide to using this lesson plan in the classroom/laboratory. We have suggested these steps as a possible plan of action. You may customize the lesson plan according to your preferences and requirements.
Reading (5–10 min)
Micro-lecture (~8 min)
Now play this micro-lecture (video, approx. 8 min) to explain the interaction of molecules such as CO2 with electromagnetic radiation, and the resulting molecular vibrations that lead to the greenhouse effect in the atmosphere
Reading (15 mins)
Next, explore this topic in an interactive and engaging manner by using a visualization tool, “The Greenhouse Effect”, from PhET.
The tool will help your students to visualize the molecular structure of carbon compounds (CO2, CH4), explore the effect of electromagnetic radiation on the molecules, and understand the role of greenhouse gases in climate change.
Suggested questions/assignments for learning evaluation
Use the tools and the concepts learned so far to discuss and determine answers to the following questions:
Use this lesson plan to help your students find answers to:
| 1 | Video | A video in which Iain Stewart demonstrates infrared radiation absorption by CO2 in a scene from BBC’s “Earth: The Climate Wars” documentary:
This can be accessed here. |
| 2 | Visualization | An interactive visualization tool, “Greenhouse Gases”, from Concord Consortium’s Innovative Technology
in Science Inquiry:
This can be accessed here . |
| 3 | Reading | Reading material from UCAR:
This can be accessed here. |
| 1 | Reading, “Carbon Dioxide Absorbs and Reemits Infrared Radiation” | UCAR Center for Science Education |
| 2 | Micro-lecture (video) | David Archer, the University of Chicago |
| 3 | Additional Resources | Iain Stewart; Concord Consortium; UCAR Center for Science Education |
