Energy and the Poor - Black Carbon in Low Income Nations
https://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/energy/activities/32421.html
https://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/energy/activities/32421.html
Anne Hall, Environmental Studies at Emory University, From the On The Cutting Edge Collection
Activity takes three class periods. Computer with internet access required.
Learn more about Teaching Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness»
See how this Activity supports the Next Generation Science Standards»
Grade Level
Topics
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
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.
Other materials addressing:
A) Processes that shape the Earth.
2. Knowledge of Environmental Processes and Systems:2.1 The Earth as a Physical System:C) Energy
Other materials addressing:
C) Energy.
Other materials addressing:
C) Energy.
2. Knowledge of Environmental Processes and Systems:2.3 Humans and Their Societies:B) Culture
Other materials addressing:
B) Culture.
Other materials addressing:
B) Culture.
2. Knowledge of Environmental Processes and Systems:2.3 Humans and Their Societies:C) Political and economic systems
Other materials addressing:
C) Political and economic systems.
Other materials addressing:
C) Political and economic systems.
2. Knowledge of Environmental Processes and Systems:2.3 Humans and Their Societies:D) Global Connections
Other materials addressing:
D) Global Connections.
Other materials addressing:
D) Global Connections.
2. Knowledge of Environmental Processes and Systems:2.4 Environment and Society:C) Resources
Other materials addressing:
C) Resources.
Other materials addressing:
C) Resources.
3. Skills for Understanding and Addressing Environmental Issues:3.1 Skills for Analyzing and Investigating Environmental Issues:A) Identifying and investigating issues
Other materials addressing:
A) Identifying and investigating issues.
Other materials addressing:
A) Identifying and investigating issues.
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
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Teaching Tips | Science | Pedagogy |
Technical Details
Teaching Tips
- Activity on Albedo could supplement the activity to ensure a better understanding of the impacts of black carbon.
- In-class discussion will generate several broad topics relevant to the use of black carbon generating fuels.
- Using the jigsaw method, small groups will explore one broad topic related to black carbon, then multi-topic groups will synthesize the information gathered.
About the Content
- Video clip does a good job of summarizing the basics for black carbon and its impacts. Video clip link in instructor's notes is now at: http://earthjustice.org/video/stop-soot-the-easiest-way-to-slow-climate-change
- Possible source for confusion: Black carbon isn't a greenhouse gas, but the soot particles warm the atmosphere by absorbing heat and reducing albedo when deposited on ice and snow.
- Introduction of the term albedo and changes in albedo due to changes in surface colors are a key component in this discussion, which other CLEAN selected resources address: https://cleanet.org/clean/educational_resources/index.html?search_text=albedo&Search=search
About the Pedagogy
- Well-designed activity with a good introduction to the topic and an effective pedagogic design.
- Using the jigsaw approach addresses needs of students with different learning styles.
- Many sources beyond this activity are given for further research.
- Educator will need to develop their own assessment.
Related URLs These related sites were noted by our reviewers but have not been reviewed by CLEAN
- Although the 'envirofit' link is on the instructor's resource, the lab where the efficient stoves are developed has presentations which explains how they work and why they're important: http://www.eecl.colostate.edu/research/household.php
- Also see background article on Black Carbon: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080323210225.htm
