ZOOM cast members mix different amounts of baking soda and vinegar to see which combination produces the most carbon dioxide for launching a film-canister rocket. [3:23]

In this ZOOM video segment, cast members make bottle rocket cars using lemon juice and baking soda, and experiment with different ways of launching the cars. [4:46]

A car propelled by the reaction between lemon juice and baking soda has more in common with rockets and jet aircraft than one might think. In this video segment adapted from ZOOM, two cast members demonstrate the power of rocket-propelled vehicles and how to exploit the force produced by the carbon dioxide gas. Grades 3-8.

A college-level video lecture explaining and discussing the carbon cycle. Gives an interesting perspective on the chemistry of the carbon cycle and how essential it is to the survival of life on Earth. [6:20]

Biology 2e is designed to cover the scope and sequence requirements of a typical two-semester biology course for science majors. The text provides comprehensive coverage of foundational research and core biology concepts through an evolutionary lens. Biology includes rich features that engage students in scientific inquiry, highlight careers in the biological sciences, and offer everyday applications. The book also includes various types of practice and homework questions that help students understand—and apply—key concepts. The 2nd edition has been revised to incorporate clearer, more current, and more dynamic explanations, while maintaining the same organization as the first edition. Art and illustrations have been substantially improved, and the textbook features additional assessments and related resources.

By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:

Name and describe lung volumes and capacities
Understand how gas pressure influences how gases move into and out of the body

Students use a simple pH indicator to measure how much CO2 is produced during respiration, at rest and after exercising. They begin by comparing some common household solutions in order to determine the color change of the indicator. They review the concepts of pH and respiration and extend their knowledge to measuring the effectiveness of bioremediation in the environment.

Why are oysters dying, and how can we use chemistry to protect them? Why are oysters dying, and how can we use chemistry to protect them? This unit is designed to build a deeper understanding about chemical reactions by exploring reversible reactions through exploration of ocean acidification. Students watch case videos, analyze data, and read about how movement of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to the ocean makes the ocean more acidic. They consider how oyster die-offs may affect communities that rely on oysters for a food source. Students break down this large scale problem into a few key subproblems so they can use chemistry to try to solve them. They figure out how changes in concentration of H+ ions in water leads to changes in water pH. They use their knowledge of chemical reactions and mathematical thinking (stoichiometry) to determine the amounts of a substance they could use to neutralize acidic water. Students consider engineering trade-offs, criteria, and constraints to use chemistry to develop a design solution at a specific site to address oyster die-offs. They apply their thinking in a culminating task around increasing rates of ammonia fertilizer.

OpenSciEd content is highly rated in EdReports and is aligned to NGSS standards.

In this video segment adapted from NOVA scienceNOW, a scientist, inspired by his daughter's science fair project, develops a synthetic tree to remove excess carbon dioxide from the air. [5:23]

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 consider how human activities have disturbed the carbon cycle by emitting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. They will discuss how engineers and scientists are working to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Lastly, students will consider how they can help the world through simple energy conservation measures.

Meet Professor Cathy Drennan, whose research focuses on a protein inside microorganisms and how it converts carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that accelerates climate change, into energy.

In this video adapted from the Arctic Athabaskan Council, learn how warmer temperatures in the Arctic are transforming the landscape, triggering a host of effects such as permafrost thawing and insect infestations.

Click on the left navigation terms for some great information about the 6th element in the periodic table, "carbon." Content focuses on carbon's electrons, where you can find carbon in nature and in the home, and how carbon combines with other elements.

This activity is a demonstration proving that carbon dioxide is more dense than air which leads to a deeper understanding of the term density.

Site offers lessons and activities designed to supplement study of the environment and ecology. Concise explanations are presented on the importance of trees in our world. Also, problem solving and creative thinking is encouraged throughout this lesson. Ideal for grades 4-8.

The signs of global climate change are becoming more and more evident. The EPA provides an excellent guide for students that acquaints them with the basic causes, effects on people and the environment, and solutions that they can engage in. Here is an informative site that will prepare the student to make a difference.

Understand the process that must occur to create carbon dioxide. What is the role of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere? A video illustrating the carbon cycle is available.

Students construct a Global Warming Wheel Card, a hand-held tool that they can use to estimate their household's emissions of carbon dioxide and learn how they can reduce them.