The math of carbon (US)

In this lesson, students will view a clip from the documentary 2040 and examine data related to CO2 in the atmosphere. They will participate in a whole class graphing activity to explore how CO2 levels have changed over time. Students will then calculate percentages from ‘parts per million’. Finally, students will reflect on the implications of rising CO2 in the atmosphere and be introduced to the concept of carbon ‘drawdown’.

Students will need to obtain more information about the issues they are going to investigate. They can identify questions of interest and research these either in small groups or on their own. Once information is gathered, it can be shared using chosen communication methods e.g. short presentations. Students can continue finding out by completing a range of investigations, including gathering data. They use appropriate methods to present and communicate what they have found out.

• Teacher Involvement: High – direct instruction, scaffolding, and guiding activities.

Leaning objectives:

• Students will understand that Carbon Dioxide is a gas that naturally exists, although in very small proportions, as a component of Earth’s atmosphere
• Students will learn how atmospheric gases (such as CO2) are measured in ‘parts per million’ and also how to convert parts per million into a percentage measurement
• Students will learn how to construct, and interpret a time series graph and use appropriate vocabulary to explain the changes in a given quantity or phenomena over time

Credits and acknowledgements:

Cool.org prepared the 2040 Curriculum Guide. Together Films adapted these lessons for US educators and will do an annual review of these resources to ensure they are still in line with the US Curriculum.

US Educator Note: Australian educational standards have been adapted and aligned by discipline, and when possible, to US standards.

Cool Australia, GoodThing Productions and Regen Studios would like to acknowledge the generous contributions of Good Pitch Australia, Shark Island Institute, Documentary Australia Foundation, The Caledonia Foundation, Global Health Film and our philanthropic partners in the development of these teaching resources.