Step 3: Conduct Investigations and Analyze Data

In this phase of the lesson, students conduct their own investigation of CO2 sources, sinks, and pathways.
Time required: 4 class periods

Step 3.1 - Collect and Analyze CO2 Data


Featured Resource - GHG graphing tool

Type: Data Analysis

Science Standards:

Learning Goal: Students design and carry out an investigation of their own design.

Summary: Students use Interactive Atmospheric Data Visualization (IADV) Tool to investigate patterns in CO2 concentrations over time.
Teaching Strategies and Directions
  1. Use Interactive Atmospheric Data Visualization (IADV) Tool to investigate patterns in CO2 concentrations over time. Featured resource - GHG graphing tool
    The Interactive Atmospheric Data Visualization (IADV) tool provides access to data on the abundance of gases measured at more than 200 sampling sites around the world. Students can generate time series graphs showing how the amount of gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, and various chlorofluorocarbons have changed over time at any sampling site. (source: NOAA Dataset Galley)

    Follow the instructions below to access data.

Step 3.2 - Observe carbon in motion


Featured Resource - NASA | A Year in the Life of Earth's CO2

Type: Data Analysis

Science Standards:

Learning Goal: Students learn how CO2 is tracked in the atmosphere.

Summary: Students read an article and watch a short NASA video to learn how CO2 is tracked in the atmosphere and how its concentration varies over time and space.
Teaching Strategies and Directions
  1. Bring it together: Plants and CO2
    Read article: Tracking Carbon Dioxide Levels in the Atmosphere Carbon Tracker to learn more about the methods used by scientists to monitor CO2 in the atmosphere.
  2. Watch video: NASA | A Year in the Life of Earth's CO2

    This excellent video of a computer model shows where CO2 is generated and distributed over the period of one year. The video nicely links CO2 concentration fluctuations to photosynthesis on a seasonal cycle.

    Sample questions for this video:
    1. Students see how CO2 levels change over the course of one year on an online animated model. They discover the cyclic changes caused by seasons and other changes caused by industrial activity and fires.
    2. Show the video with the sound turned off. Explain the color key below the video.
    3. Stop the video at the 1:00 mark. Ask students to interpret the data. What is causing the increasing amounts of CO2 in the northern hemisphere?
    4. Continue the video and stop at the 1:45. Ask students how the pattern of carbon dioxide has changed. Point out the date of the frame. What is causing the increase in CO2 in the Southern Hemisphere?
    5. Proceed to the end of the clip. Ask students to interpret the data for summer vs. winter in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Step 3.3 - Begin to construct explanation of carbon pathways


Featured Resource - Part 6 of Carbon Pathways EET chapter


Type: Data Analysis

Science Standards: See this page

Learning Goal: Students design and carry out an investigation of their own design.

Summary: Students investigate the link between vegetation and how CO2 concentrations.
Teaching Strategies and Directions
  1. Use NASA NEO to explore Data for NDVI.
  2. Featured Resource -- Part 6 of Carbon Pathways EET chapter
    See the Carbon Pathways EET chapter for complete instructions on how to relate datasets.