Lesson Topic: Modeling the future by exploring carbon
Grade/Subject: 8th Grade Science; C. Waller
Standard: Earth and Space Science Content; Human Impacts; S.8.ESS.1
Objective: SWBAT use a model to explain how natural and anthropogenic activities impact the flow the carbon on Earth, summarize the results of energy choices on carbon emissions and report how energy choices may affect the environment.
1 Getting Started - 0 minutes
In this activity, students develop and run scenarios for future human emissions and future carbon sinks in the oceans and on the land. Running an applet allows them to simulate the impact on atmospheric CO2 and global mean temperature. The applet ( is part of the Carbon and Climate website at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Since we are looking are large scale Earth systems interactions, using this simulation gives students the tools to manipulate and study the effects of changing different variables related to carbon emission. Answers to the first few questions are found by reading the information under each of the other tabs under the website banner. A few of my students had trouble figuring this out, so please be explicit with you students.
Resources for the lesson: Computers with internet access, student worksheets, letter & dilemmas.
2 Engage - 8 minutes
To set up the scenario for using the applet, students will be read a memo charging them to create new energy plan that will help to stop the demise of Earth. Begin by reading the memo below to the class. Then tell them they will be using on online simulation to determine different scenarios for carbon emissions.
Scenario:
- Planet Earth needs to install additional energy sources to supplement their current coal fired power plants because at the current time they are not providing enough energy for Earth’s consumers.
- According to the Universal Galactic Governing Alliance, the final decision concerning the new, supplemental energy source that must be added cannot significantly increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
- The Planetary Earth Governing Council has done the preliminary research and has narrowed down the additional energy source options to the following choices:
- adding an additional coal fired power plant.
- adding a wood burning power plant
- adding a wind turbine farm
- Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to analyze the amount of carbon dioxide emissions that would be given off from each energy option being considered.
Resources: Memo- to Planetary Earth Council Members
3 Explore (Part 1) - 30 minutes
- Students go to the University of Wisconsin Carbon and Climate website:
- Students complete the worksheet while interacting with the website and applet. They will need a “working” understanding of this material to complete the simulation to follow.
- Explain to your students that they will be involved with a simulation.
Resources: Student worksheet
4 Explore (Part 2) - 30 minutes
Overview:
- Give students the dilemmas. Work in groups of 3 and each complete one dilemma. They will then analyze the amount of carbon dioxide emissions that would be given off from each new energy option being considered together.
- Each team must utilize the graphs and the materials found in the software package to analyze these options. The software package is found at the Applet Tab of the Carbon and Climate website.
- Students must present their findings and final recommendations to the Universal Galactic Governing Alliance. These finding must include the impact on climate for each of the above options. Encourage students to use display data (graphs, charts) and other props in their presentation.
Resources: Dilemmas
5 Explain - 30 minutes Connect-Extend-Challenge
The objective in this section is to get students to connect new ideas to those they already know and then reflect on how their thinking is changing as a result of completing the simulation. You are pushing their thinking and building the bridge from classroom experience to real world issues.
Review how the simulation connects to the current study of climate change and in particular to carbon sinks and sources. Ask them how the results of the simulation connect back to changes in Earth's atmosphere that they have studied and that they already knew. Give them time to think and write. "How did today's simulation connect to what you know?"
Next, ask them identify how their ideas have expanded in some way as a result of the simulation. Allow time to think and write. "How has your thinking been extended, gone deeper or focused in a new way?"
Finally, ask them what was challenging about the activity. Give them time to think and write. "What challenges or puzzles have come up in your mind about this topic?"
Once they have completed their reflections, ask them to turn and talk with a neighbor and share their thinking. Push them to give reasons for their thinking. As they talk, move around the room and listen, coaching conversations where needed. If you like you could collect bit is information that you hear to share back to the class or you could ask students to display their ideas on chart paper.