Understanding the Carbon Cycle
Overview
Students will illustrate how carbon flows between the biosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and lithosphere. Students will illustrate and explain how humans alter carbon flows between the four spheres and tell the story of how human activity can contribute to global climate change.
Activity Type:
Lesson
Target Grade Level:
6-8, 9-12
Estimated Duration:
30 minutes
Topics:
Food Systems
Possible Connections to NGSS |
Performance Expectations 5-LS2-1: Develop a model to describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment. 5-ESS2-1: Develop a model using an example to describe ways the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and/or atmosphere interact. MS-LS1-6: Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms. MS-LS2-3: Develop a model to describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy among living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem. HS-LS2-5: Develop a model to illustrate the role of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the cycling of carbon among the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere. HS-ESS2-6: Develop a quantitative model to describe the cycling of carbon among the hydrosphere, atmosphere, geosphere, and biosphere. |
Created by:
This activity was adapted from the California Academy of Sciences “Carbon Cycle Poster” activity
