Using a mass balance model to understand carbon dioxide and its connection to global warming

Jump to this Activity »

Using a mass balance model to understand carbon dioxide and its connection to global warming
https://serc.carleton.edu/quantskills/activities/co2_global.html

Robert MacKay, SERC - Teaching Quantitative Skills in Geoscience Collection

Students explore the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide over the past 40 years with an interactive online model. They use the model and observations to estimate present emission rates and emission growth rates. The model is then used to estimate future levels of carbon dioxide using different future emission scenarios. These different scenarios are then linked by students to climate model predictions also used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Activity takes two to three hours. Computer access necessary.

Learn more about Teaching Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness»

See how this Activity supports the Next Generation Science Standards»

hide

High School

Performance Expectations: 2

HS-ESS2-6: Develop a quantitative model to describe the cycling of carbon among the hydrosphere, atmosphere, geosphere, and biosphere.

HS-ESS3-5: Analyze geoscience data and the results from global climate models to make an evidence-based forecast of the current rate of global or regional climate change and associated future impacts to Earth systems.

Disciplinary Core Ideas: 3

HS-ESS2.D1: The foundation for Earth’s global climate systems is the electromagnetic radiation from the sun, as well as its reflection, absorption, storage, and redistribution among the atmosphere, ocean, and land systems, and this energy’s re-radiation into space.

HS-ESS2.D3: Changes in the atmosphere due to human activity have increased carbon dioxide concentrations and thus affect climate.

HS-ESS2.D4: Current models predict that, although future regional climate changes will be complex and varied, average global temperatures will continue to rise. The outcomes predicted by global climate models strongly depend on the amounts of human-generated greenhouse gases added to the atmosphere each year and by the ways in which these gases are absorbed by the ocean and biosphere.

Science and Engineering Practices: 10

Asking Questions and Defining Problems, Developing and Using Models, Planning and Carrying Out Investigations, Analyzing and Interpreting Data, Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking, Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions, Engaging in Argument from Evidence, Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

See Details »

HS-P1.4: ask questions to clarify and refine a model, an explanation, or an engineering problem

HS-P2.6: Develop and/or use a model (including mathematical and computational) to generate data to support explanations, predict phenomena, analyze systems, and/or solve problems.

HS-P3.1: Plan an investigation or test a design individually and collaboratively to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence as part of building and revising models, supporting explanations for phenomena, or testing solutions to problems. Consider possible confounding variables or effects and evaluate the investigation’s design to ensure variables are controlled.

HS-P3.5: Make directional hypotheses that specify what happens to a dependent variable when an independent variable is manipulated.

HS-P3.6: Manipulate variables and collect data about a complex model of a proposed process or system to identify failure points or improve performance relative to criteria for success or other variables.

HS-P4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data

HS-P5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking

HS-P6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

HS-P7.4: Construct, use, and/or present an oral and written argument or counter-arguments based on data and evidence.

HS-P8.5: Communicate scientific and/or technical information or ideas (e.g. about phenomena and/or the process of development and the design and performance of a proposed process or system) in multiple formats (i.e., orally, graphically, textually, mathematically).

Grade Level

High School (9-12)
Find more resources at this grade level.

College Lower (13-14)
Find more resources at this grade level.

College Upper (15-16)
Find more resources at this grade level.

Topics

Greenhouse Effect
Find more resources on this topic.

Carbon Cycle
Find more resources on this topic.

Greenhouse Gases
Find more resources on this topic.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Find more resources on this topic.

Climate Projections
Find more resources on this topic.

Climate Literacy

This Activity builds on the following concepts of Climate Literacy.

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

Energy Literacy

This Activity builds on the following concepts of Energy Literacy.

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

Excellence in Environmental Education Guidelines

1. Questioning, Analysis and Interpretation Skills:G) Drawing conclusions and developing explanations
Other materials addressing:
G) Drawing conclusions and developing explanations.

1. Questioning, Analysis and Interpretation Skills:C) Collecting information
Other materials addressing:
C) Collecting information.

1. Questioning, Analysis and Interpretation Skills:F) Working with models and simulations
Other materials addressing:
F) Working with models and simulations.

2. Knowledge of Environmental Processes and Systems:2.1 The Earth as a Physical System:A) Processes that shape the Earth
Other materials addressing:
A) Processes that shape the Earth.

2. Knowledge of Environmental Processes and Systems:2.1 The Earth as a Physical System:B) Changes in matter
Other materials addressing:
B) Changes in matter.

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

Excellent extension activities that educator should consider.

About the Content

Model is somewhat of a 'black box'; however this is a simple model and a supplementary page describes the basis for it.
Could use more recent data, but that doesn't change the basic lesson or the effectiveness of this activity.
Simplified modeling exercise appropriate for college students who are not science majors or who are at the introductory level.
Thorough background materials are available for educators.
Comments from expert scientist: This e-learning activity explains in a simple way some important concepts about greenhouse gases evolution and its connection to global warming. This material was built on a solid scientific basis and is a reliable source of information.

About the Pedagogy

Interactive with clear step-by-step instructions.
Answer key provided along with supplemental teaching tips.

This resource engages students in using scientific data.
See other data-rich activities

Technical Details/Ease of Use

Requires Java 6 plug-in.

Entered the Collection: July 2013 Last Reviewed: September 2016