Climate Solutions Videos
With Lesson Plans and Links
Episode 11 - A CLIMATE CALL TO ACTION [11:12]
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This video shows how CO2 bounces infrared energy back to Earth creating heat. Cog shows us how some plants and animals are already evolving, adapting, or migrating in response. We look at graphs illustrating how CO2 and temperature are connected during the past 65 million years. Finally, after looking at the ripple effects caused by burning fossil fuels, we find ways to leap into action which inspires hope which inspires more action...
Click here for lesson plans: Episode 11 - Climate Consequences.
Click here for instructions to the CO2/infrared thermometer demonstration
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Next Gen MS Science Standards: MS-LS2.C , MS-ESS3.D, MS-ESS3.C.
Next Gen HS Science Standards: HS-ESS3.A, HS-ESS3.C, HS-ESS3.D HS-LS4.C
One way to combat climate change is to transition away from burning fossil fuels. One way to do that is to drive electric vehicles (EVs). I build a simple model of an EV, and then a simple model of an electric motor. We look at a graph showing that EVs already release CO2 than gas-powered cars, but we can make a real difference if we charge EV batteries with electricity made from wind or solar power.
Click here for instruction to make a model EV.
Click here for instructions to make a model electric motor.
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Next Gen MS Science Standards: MS-ESS3.C, MS-ESS3.D, MS-PS2.B
Wind and solar energy generate electricity intermittently, and so they need better batteries or backup systems to provide electricity regardless of weather or time of day. Some other alternative energy sources we can use are hydropower, nuclear, geothermal, or biomass (and green hydrogen when we have enough clean energy to make hydrogen fuel). Everyone has talents they can use to combat climate change.
This time @STEMwithCog tackles wasted resources and energy because the greenest energy is the energy we don’t use! We look at how to reduce food waste, how our diets impact the environment, how to design construct, light, heat, and cool buildings more efficiently. We’ll need help from Industry as we try to move to a circular economy. And Cog-the-Science-Dog has some efficient shopping tips.
Click here for lesson plans: Episode 13 - Less Waste, More Efficiency!
Click here for instructions for doing the passive solar experiment.
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Next Gen MS Science Standards: MS ESS3.A MS-ESS3.C, MS-ESS3.D
Next Gen HS Science Standards: HS-ESS3.A, HS-ESS3.C, HS-ESS3.D
In this final episode, @STEMwithCog investigates how we can remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and our oceans in order to get to Net Zero emissions. Direct Air Removal (DAR) might be a facility of giant fans and chemical reactions that trap CO2, or it might look like powdered basalt rock, or it might look like large-scale photosynthesis projects. We set off some controversy alerts in the Carbon Capture section. That's where we capture the CO2 from smokestacks (before it's emitted into the air) of factories or power plants that continue to burn fossil fuels. And Cog-the-Science-Dog tries out ideas to win millions of dollars in the XPRIZE for carbon removal.
Click here for lesson plans: Episode 14 - Carbon Removal.
​Click here for lesson plans for the underwater plant experiment.
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Next Gen MS Science Standards: MS-ESS3.C, MS-ESS3.D
Next Gen HS Science Standards: HS-ESS3.A, HS-ESS3.C, HS-ESS3.D, HS-ETS1.B