Rather than focusing on a specific brand of technology or a specific scientific tool, I will provide insight on how to implement similar CarboSchools programs and lessons. The CarboSchools website is a database of invaluable information; sample lesson plans, educational brochures and booklets, examples of student work, that can be referenced and used in the everyday classroom.
As described above, the CarboSchools' website provides a list of lesson plans that were implemented in their programs. These lesson plans have been further classified into specific environments; indoors, outdoors, data-based, and global sustainability. I have listed some sample lesson plan topics in the text below.
Indoors:
- Regulating Global Temperature
- Gas exchange between air and water
- CO2 uptake from water by plants
- CO2 effect on ocean acidification
- pH regulation of seawater
- CO2 effect on growth in aquatic environment
- Effects of water temperature on solubility of CO2 in water
- Effects of increased CO2 on large bodies of water
- Predicting climate change
Outdoors:
- Weather forecasting
- Photosynthesis of plants
- Gas diffusion in soil
- Measuring CO2 in natural environments (terrestrial and aquatic)
Data-Based (using Excel spreadsheets):
- Modeling the global carbon budget
- Predicting future levels of carbon in atmosphere
- Estimating natural carbon sinks
Global Sustainability:
- Carbon-footprinting
- Researching the use of media in global sustainability
- Measuring energy consumption in household areas
- Benefits of insulation
- Lifestyle improvements
- Effects of plastic water bottles
Navigating through CarboSchools website:
1.) Click here for the homepage.
2.) Scroll down to view the CarboSchools in different countries and read about their goals
3.) Click the link (ie: CarboSchools library) in the top left to access the lesson plans, brochures, and other resources.
Implementation:
Below is a breakdown of a sample lesson from the CarboSchools' database. I will provide a brief outline of what is needed to perform the lesson/experiment and how it incorporates technology into the classroom.
In the outdoor hands-on activities, there is a sample lesson that measures the photosynthesis that occurs in the plants of the school garden (targeted for 8th graders).
Technology used in lab:
1.) A computer capable of recording data
2.) CIRAS -1 (Gas Analyzer)
Student learning goals:
- Engage in a hands-on experience in measuring photosynthesis
- Develop deeper understanding on what affects photosynthesis
Procedure:
1.) Students choose a type of plant, from school garden, to analyze.
2.) Formulate hypothesis on expected behavior and results
- Questions to answer:
- How will photosynthesis change over seasons?
- What factors affect photosynthesis?
3.) Configure CIRAS-1 to specific parameters (instructions no a separate worksheet)
4.) Take measurements with CIRAS-1. Record and save data.
5.) Analyze results and evaluate initial hypothesis.
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