As a high school or undergraduate Chemistry or Earth Sciences teacher, you can use this set of computer-based tools to help you in teaching topics in environmental chemistry such as the carbon cycle or biogeochemical cycles.
This lesson plan allows students to understand the carbon cycle, its components, and the flow among the different components of this biogeochemical cycle. The activity will introduce the link between the carbon cycle and climate. It will also explore how human activity (such as increased fossil fuel use) may affect the natural carbon cycle, and may thus cause climate-related changes
Thus, the use of this lesson plan allows you to integrate the teaching of a climate science topic with a core topic in Chemistry.
As a high school or undergraduate Chemistry or Earth Sciences teacher, you can use this set of computer-based tools to help you in teaching topics in environmental chemistry such as the carbon cycle or biogeochemical cycles.
This lesson plan allows students to understand the carbon cycle, its components, and the flow among the different components of this biogeochemical cycle. The activity will introduce the link between the carbon cycle and climate. It will also explore how human activity (such as increased fossil fuel use) may affect the natural carbon cycle, and may thus cause climate-related changes
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:
Teacher-contributed lesson plan by Dr. Rita Rath (Dyal Singh College), Dr. Neeraja Sood (Dyal Singh College), and Dr. Nisha Vashishta (Miranda House).
Want to know more about how to contribute? Contact us.
Teacher-contributed lesson plan by Dr. Rita Rath (Dyal Singh College), Dr. Neeraja Sood (Dyal Singh College), and Dr. Nisha Vashishta (Miranda House).
Want to know more about how to contribute? Contact us.
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.
Interactive diagram(~30min)
Introduce the topic of the global carbon cycle by using the interactive diagram “Carbon Cycle”, from the Science Learning Hub (New Zealand).
Students can observe the components of the carbon cycle and observe the flow among these parts. They can interact with the components by clicking on them to learn more details.
Reading (15 mins)
Then, use the reading “The Carbon Cycle and Earth’s Climate” from Columbia University to discuss details of the carbon cycle, some of the chemical reactions involved in the cycle, and the role of the carbon cycle in the Earth’s climate.
Classroom/Laborator activity (Simulation and associated exercises) (60 – 90 min)
Next, conduct a classroom/laboratory activity “Carbon Lab” by Annenberg Learner’s Habitable Planet to further explore the topic in an engaging manner.
This activity uses a simulation and associated exercises for students to explore and analyze possible anthropogenic impacts on the carbon cycle, and how such changes may impact our climate.
Read the overview of the Carbon Lab.
Conduct the activity described in The Carbon Cycle (Step 1, Step 2, and For Your Consideration).
The simulator for the activity is accessible here.
Questions/assignments are available at the end of the activities in The Carbon Cycle.
Use this lesson plan to help your students find answers to:
| 1 | Video | A short video, “The carbon cycle”, from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO):
This can be accessed here. |
| 2 | Model | A carbon cycle model in Insight Maker, “The Carbon Cycle”, as initially proposed by Bill White of Cornell University, adapted and created by France Caron
This can be accessed here . |
| 3 | Interactive model | An interactive model of the Terrestrial Carbon Cycle, “Land Carbon Budget with Growing Plants & Three Decomposing Pools,” from the Denning Research Group at Colorado State University
This can be accessed here. |
| 1 | Interactive diagram, “Carbon Cycle” | The Science Learning Hub, New Zealand |
| 2 | Reading, “The Carbon Cycle and Earth’s Climate” | Columbia University (New York) |
| 3 | Classroom/Laboratory activity | The Habitable Planet from Annenberg Learner |
| 4 | Additional Resources |
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO); Bill White (Cornell University) and France Caron; Denning Research Group (Colorado State University) |
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.
Interactive diagram(~30min)
Introduce the topic of the global carbon cycle by using the interactive diagram “Carbon Cycle”, from the Science Learning Hub (New Zealand).
Students can observe the components of the carbon cycle and observe the flow among these parts. They can interact with the components by clicking on them to learn more details.
Reading (15 mins)
Then, use the reading “The Carbon Cycle and Earth’s Climate” from Columbia University to discuss details of the carbon cycle, some of the chemical reactions involved in the cycle, and the role of the carbon cycle in the Earth’s climate.
Classroom/Laborator activity (Simulation and associated exercises) (60 – 90 min)
Next, conduct a classroom/laboratory activity “Carbon Lab” (from Annenberg Learner’s Habitable Planet) to further explore the topic in an engaging manner.
Use the tools and the concepts learned so far to discuss and determine answers to the following questions:
This activity uses a simulation and associated exercises for students to explore and analyze possible anthropogenic impacts on the carbon cycle, and how such changes may impact our climate.
Use this lesson plan to help your students find answers to:
| 1 | Video | A short video, “The carbon cycle”, from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO):
This can be accessed here. |
| 2 | Model | A carbon cycle model in Insight Maker, “The Carbon Cycle”, as initially proposed by Bill White of Cornell University, adapted and created by France Caron
This can be accessed here . |
| 3 | Interactive model | An interactive model of the Terrestrial Carbon Cycle, “Land Carbon Budget with Growing Plants & Three Decomposing Pools,” from the Denning Research Group at Colorado State University
This can be accessed here. |
| 1 | Interactive diagram, “Carbon Cycle” | The Science Learning Hub, New Zealand |
| 2 | Reading, “The Carbon Cycle and Earth’s Climate” | Columbia University (New York) |
| 3 | Classroom/Laboratory activit | The Habitable Planet from Annenberg Learner |
| 4 | Additional Resources |
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO); Bill White (Cornell University) and France Caron; Denning Research Group (Colorado State University) |
