The Carbon Cycle and its Role in Climate Change

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The Carbon Cycle and its Role in Climate Change
https://climatechangelive.org/img/fck/file/carbon_cycle_and_climate_change.pdf

United States Global Research Program

In this activity, students use a physical model to learn the basics of photosynthesis and respiration within the carbon cycle.

Activity takes about one 45-minute class period.

Learn more about Teaching Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness»

See how this Activity supports the Next Generation Science Standards»

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Middle School

Disciplinary Core Ideas: 3

MS-PS1.A1: Substances are made from different types of atoms, which combine with one another in various ways. Atoms form molecules that range in size from two to thousands of atoms.

MS-PS3.D1: The chemical reaction by which plants produce complex food molecules (sugars) requires an energy input (i.e., from sunlight) to occur. In this reaction, carbon dioxide and water combine to form carbon-based organic molecules and release oxygen.

MS-PS3.D2: Cellular respiration in plants and animals involve chemical reactions with oxygen that release stored energy. In these processes, complex molecules containing carbon react with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and other materials.

Cross Cutting Concepts: 6

Systems and System Models, Energy and Matter, Structure and Function, Patterns, Scale, Proportion and Quantity

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Systems and System Models, Energy and Matter, Structure and Function, Patterns, Scale, Proportion and Quantity

MS-C1.1: Macroscopic patterns are related to the nature of microscopic and atomic-level structure.

MS-C3.5: Phenomena that can be observed at one scale may not be observable at another scale.

MS-C4.2: Models can be used to represent systems and their interactions—such as inputs, processes and outputs—and energy, matter, and information flows within systems.

MS-C5.1: Matter is conserved because atoms are conserved in physical and chemical processes.

MS-C5.2: Within a natural or designed system, the transfer of energy drives the motion and/or cycling of matter.

MS-C6.1: Complex and microscopic structures and systems can be visualized, modeled, and used to describe how their function depends on the shapes, composition, and relationships among its parts; therefore, complex natural and designed structures/systems can be analyzed to determine how they function.

Science and Engineering Practices: 4

Developing and Using Models, Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

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Developing and Using Models, Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

MS-P2.5: Develop and/or use a model to predict and/or describe phenomena.

MS-P6.1: Construct an explanation that includes qualitative or quantitative relationships between variables that predict(s) and/or describe(s) phenomena.

MS-P6.2: Construct an explanation using models or representations.

MS-P6.3: Construct a scientific explanation based on valid and reliable evidence obtained from sources (including the students’ own experiments) and the assumption that theories and laws that describe the natural world operate today as they did in the past and will continue to do so in the future.

Grade Level

Middle (6-8)
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Topics

Biogeochemical Processes
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Carbon Cycle
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Climate Literacy

This Activity builds on the following concepts of Climate Literacy.

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Energy Literacy

This Activity builds on the following concepts of Energy Literacy.

Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.

Biological processes depend on energy flow

Notes From Our Reviewers The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness. Read what our review team had to say about this resource below or learn more about how CLEAN reviews teaching materials
Teaching Tips | Science | Pedagogy | Technical Details

Teaching Tips

Instructors may want to expand the final discussion to include other aspects of the carbon cycle.
Prepare students ahead of time for the simulation by assigning roles and discussing rules.
To teach the entire carbon cycle, associated activities 2 and 3 at http://www.globalchange.gov/resources/educators/toolkit/materials would be very beneficial.
A good assessment for this assignment might be to have students watch a video of this and summarize what is happening in the process.

About the Content

Model demonstrates how atoms break and make bonds in the processes of photosynthesis and respiration.

About the Pedagogy

A rare attempt at trying a hands-on physical model to explain important aspects of the carbon cycle.
Students will likely be very engaged in this activity but it will be easy for them to lose focus.
Some misconceptions are present about how bonds are created and should be addressed by the educator.

Technical Details/Ease of Use

Well organized and a complete resource.
While this activity requires preparation of both materials and student roles, it is well worth it.
Appropriate guidance before and during the activity will enable long-term learning.

Entered the Collection: June 2014 Last Reviewed: June 2014