CARBON SOURCES - Climate Change Videos
With Lesson Plans and Links
Episode 1 - Carbon Dioxide Is a Greenhouse Gas [8:32]
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This visual dictionary explains the basic vocabulary words viewers need to understand the video series. It's a good way to make sure everyone is on the same page, including definitions of greenhouse gases, weather vs climate, etc.
Click here for lesson plans to extend learning.
Click here for CO2 extinguishing candle demo instructions.
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NGSS ESS3.D Global climate change
Episode 2 - Carbon from Gas Exchange (Cellular Respiration) [8:43]
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We exhale 100 x more CO2 than we inhale. That doesn't create climate change but discovering the source of that carbon gives us insight into the carbon cycle and burning questions like, "Where does fat go when we lose it?" and "What are carbs anyway?"
Click here for lesson plans to extend learning.
Click here for cabbage juice demo instructions.
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NGSS LS1.C: Organization for matter and energy flow in organisms
NGSS PS3.D: Energy in chemical processes and everyday life
NGSS ESS3.D Global climate change
Episode 3 - Carbon from Campfires [7:06]
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Wood fires produce carbon dioxide because cellulose (and other big molecules that make up wood) are carbon based. Those molecules can produce carbon dioxide in three different ways: digestion, decomposition, and combustion.
Click here for lesson plans to extend learning.
Click here for burning wood demo information.
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NGSS LS1.C: Organization for matter and energy flow in organisms
NGSS PS3.D: Energy in chemical processes and everyday life
Episode 4 - Carbon from Coal-Fired Power Plants [8:07]
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After a quick look at coal formation and a zip through the Industrial Revolution, viewers learn how burning coal can generate electricity that lights up the night. I make a very simple DIY generator.
Click here for lesson plans to extend learning.
Click here for DIY generator demo instructions.
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NGSS LS1.C: Organization for matter and energy flow in organisms
NGSS PS3.D: Energy in chemical processes and everyday life
NGSS ESS3.D Global climate change
Episode 5 - Carbon from Crude Oil Fuels [9:01]
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Crude oil started out as plankton in ancient oceans. After refining it, we use the gasoline to fuel our cars, ships, and airplanes. Thanks to Joe Kaufman for a great model of how internal combustion engines work in his book, What Makes It Go?
Click here for lesson plans to extend learning.
Click here for "Gas Is Powerful" demo information.
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NGSS LS1.C: Organization for matter and energy flow in organisms
NGSS PS3.D: Energy in chemical processes and everyday life
NGSS ESS3.D Global climate change
Episode 6 - Carbon from Natural Gas (Methane) [10:14]
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Natural gas is mostly made of methane, CH4. I discuss fracking to collect natural gas from shale. We burn gas for heat in homes, industry and electricity generation. Methane in our atmosphere is a powerful greenhouse gas that we must control.
Click here for lesson plans to extend learning.
Click here for fracking demo instructions.
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NGSS LS1.C: Organization for matter and energy flow in organisms
NGSS PS3.D: Energy in chemical processes and everyday life
NGSS ESS3.D Global climate change
Episode 7 - Carbon from Volcanoes [8:37]
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Volcanoes can change the weather, globally and for several years. But how much carbon dioxide do they emit compared to our anthropogenic (man-made) carbon dioxide output?
Click here for lesson plans to extend learning.
Click here for carbon dioxide dissolved in gas experiment instructions.
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NGSS LS1.C: Organization for matter and energy flow in organisms
NGSS PS3.D: Energy in chemical processes and everyday life
NGSS ESS3.D Global climate change