Capturing Carbon: Where do We Put it and Why?

This as a 2-part activity in which students study the properties of CO2 in a lab and then use web resources to research different types of carbon capture. A video lecture accompanies the activity.

Go To:

http://osep.northwestern.edu/sites/default/files/ClimateChange/CO2WhatAGas.pdf

Sophia Vatistas

Northwestern University

Notes From Our Reviewers

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Teaching Tips

While the lesson states that it relates to Climate Literacy Essential Principle 6 (Human activities are impacting the climate system), activity does not explicitly address the content of this standard - the educator will need to overtly connect the lesson to these ideas.

About the Science

Lecture video from Dr. Sally Benson, "Carbon Dioxide Capture and Sequestration: Hype or Hope," serves as additional background at a level that is most appropriate for educators or undergraduate students only.

Comments from expert scientist: Clear material, good descriptions of the activity, varying material to keep students interested. Real world relevancy (carbon capture) and a good mix of hands on and internet research.

About the Pedagogy

Lesson is linked to Illinois State Standards.

Students need to have prior experience with stoichiometry, limiting reactants, and should be able to write and balance chemical equations.

A complete set of instructions in this guided inquiry lesson provides students with illustrations to complete the experiments.

Technical Details

Link on p.23 of the lesson is incorrect. The correct link to the interactive activity Capturing Carbon Where do We Put It? is here:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/teachers/tech/carbon-sink.html