TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Carbon Cycles
Students are introduced to the concept of energy cycles by learning about the carbon cycle. They will learn how carbon atoms travel through the geological (ancient) carbon cycle and the biological/physical carbon cycle. Students will...
Other
Elmhurst College: Virtual Chembook: Carbon Cycle
A step-by-step discussion of the stages in the carbon cycle. Each step includes a diagram further explaining the processes involved, as well as pictures depicting combustion, respiration, photosynthesis, and decomposition.
Climate Literacy
Clean: Carbon Cycle
This activity from NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory introduces students to the current scientific understanding of the greenhouse effect and the carbon cycle. The activity leads them through several interactive tasks investigating...
Encyclopedia of Earth
Encyclopedia of Earth: Physics & Chemistry: Carbon Dioxide
Explains what carbon dioxide is, where it is found, sources of it, and describes human activities that contribute to carbon depletion and increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. (Updated: February 22, 2013)
Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education, Stevens Institute of Technology
Ciese: Carbon Imbalance: Algae to the Rescue? [Pdf]
A 95-page learning module that integrates biology, chemistry, and engineering. It includes in-class labs, virtual labs, and engineering design activities. Working with algae, students learn about and investigate how photosynthesis,...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Dinosaur Breath
Through discussion and hands-on experimentation, students learn about the geological (ancient) carbon cycle. They investigate the role of dinosaurs in the carbon cycle and the eventual storage of carbon in the form of chalk. Students...
National Geographic
National Geographic: Sources, Sinks, and Feedbacks
Students will learn about how the Earth's carbon cycle works, as they examine the relationship between levels of carbon dioxide and water vapor in the atmosphere and the temperature of the ocean's surface. Includes online student...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Cave Formation: Biogeochemical Cycles
This video segment adapted from NOVA chronicles the discoveries that led to a radical new theory in which living organisms, not just geological processes, play an active role in cave formation. [5:42]
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Biorecycling: Using Nature to Make Resources From Waste
By studying key processes in the carbon cycle, such as photosynthesis, composting, and anaerobic digestion, students learn how nature and engineers biorecycle carbon.
Other
The Learning Partnership: Journey to El Yunque
In this set of learning modules, students examine the impact of hurricane weather on the El Yunque rainforest in Puerto Rico. They learn about hurricanes, producers, consumers, and the food chain, and how disruptions in organisms'...
Climate Literacy
Clean: Carbon Dioxide Sources and Sinks
In this lab activity, young scholars use a chemical indicator (bromothymol blue) to detect the presence of carbon dioxide in animal and plant respiration and in the burning of fossil fuels and its absence in the products of plant...
Climate Literacy
Clean: Life Cycle Assessment of Biofuels 101
Multi-lesson activity in which students conduct a life cycle assessment of energy and carbon dioxide used and produced in ethanol production.
Other
Water on the Web
Water on the Web (WOW) is an advanced site allowing students to actively participate in data analysis from real research sites. Lesson plans on a range of topics are provided. There is also a tutorial for using Excel to graph WOW data.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Soil, Plants, and the Energy Cycle
Students explore what kind and how much bio-mass can be produced in an area around your city or town. They figure how many gallons of fuel can be expected from one acre of crop land, and how much carbon can be sequestered in the local area.
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: Atmospheric Science Explorers: Global Climate Change
A detailed overview of global climate change, with explanations of Earth's climate change, the carbon cycle, ecosystems, and greenhouse gases, and how the movements of matter and energy impact on climate. All information is reinforced...
US Geological Survey
Usgs: Earth Surface Dynamics (Research Activities)
This site from USGS provides several activities to help understand the interrelationships among earth surface processes, ecological systems, and human activities. Also included are links to new findings and programs concerning Earth...
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Ap Environmental Science: Science, Matter, Energy, Systems
Through interactive activities, reading exercises, and lab activities, students study how science, matter, energy, and systems are interrelated.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Connecting Cellular Respiration and Photosynthesis
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] How do trees help you breathe? This activity covers the connection between cellular respiration and photosynthesis and identifies the products and reactants of each.
Other
Antarctic Geological Drilling: Environmental Literacy Framework Activities
An impressive collection of lessons on climate science and climate change. The entire book can be downloaded. As well, each lesson has its own page with some combination of background information, PowerPoints, images, maps, glossaries,...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Moebius Strips
In this activity, students make Moebius strips and use them to demonstrate the interconnectedness of an environment. They will explore the natural cycles (water, oxygen/carbon dioxide, carbon, nitrogen) within the environment.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Flow of Matter in Ecosystems
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] In this module, students will learn about the cycles of nature (water, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus) that support the flow of nutrient matter through an...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Lasers, Let's Find 'Em!
Students research particular types of lasers and find examples of how they are used in technology today. Teams present their findings by means of PowerPoint presentations, videos or brochures. The class takes notes on the presentations...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: The Great Algae Race
In a multi-week experiment, student groups gather data from the photobioreactors that they build to investigate growth conditions that make algae thrive best.
NASA
Nasa: Oceanography
Join NASA in its study of oceanography and learn about the Earth system, the physical ocean, and life in the ocean. Try out the Giovanni: Earth Data Visualization Tool and access satellite-derived data to enhance the learning experience.