Students examine the carbon cycle, and identify sources and sinks within the environment. Students relate thisminformation to greenhouse gas emissions of carbon dioxide in the context of greenhouse gas emissions in Michigan.

Students will answer these essential questions:

What is the Carbon Cycle? 

How do human actions (in Michigan) affect the Carbon Cycle?

Subject/Target Grade

Science/Middle School and High School

Duration

One 40 minute period – Classroom setting

Materials

From MEECS Climate Change Resource DVD

• Carbon Cycle (QuickTime Movie – 2:22 minutes) 

• Keeping Up with Carbon (MP4Video – 5:30 minutes) 

• The Carbon Cycle (PowerPoint) 

per class

• Carbon Cycle (transparency master) 

• Explore the Carbon Cycle (answer key) 

• Michigan Land, Air, and Water (answer key) 

per group

• Michigan Land, Air, and Water (poster) 

per student

• Explore the Carbon Cycle (student activity) 

• Michigan Land, Air, and Water (student activity)