Let's create continuous conversations about climate change education: Spreading the Sediment of Science!

Calculating the Rate of Change of Atmospheric CO2

Provided by: Paleontological Research Institution |Published on: July 7, 2022

Activity - Classroom Grades 6-8

Synopsis

This activity involves drawing best-fit lines on a data graph and calculating the slopes of those lines to compare the rate of increase in CO2 concentrations over different time periods.
Students will learn about the global carbon cycle, the natural and human causes of CO2 emissions, seasonal variations in atmospheric concentrations, and the mathematical formula for calculating the slope of a line.

Related Teaching Resources

Subjects: Chemistry, Biology, Earth and Space Sciences, Mathematics

Authors: Paleontological Research Institution

Region: North America, USA - West, United States, Global

Languages: English

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Teaching Materials

Positives

This resource is technical but is written in a way that students will understand.
The scientific writing at the beginning of the resource does an excellent job of setting up the activity and giving meaning to the mathematical work that comes later.

Additional Prerequisites

Students should be able to read a graph and perform division problems.

Differentiation

Connections can be made to health and social studies classes by discussing the impacts of global warming on human health and well being.
This could be a great way to add in climate change and global warming topics into math classes.
Other related resources include this video about CO2 in the ice core record, this activity that lets students check their carbon footprint, and this interactive resource that allows students to see the biggest carbon drivers for specific places around the world.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

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Resource Type and Format

About the Partner Provider

Paleontological Research Institution

Paleontological Research Institution (PRI) is a national leader in Earth systems science education. They strive to help make sense of the present and potential future climate change, while also increasing understanding of global change in Earth’s past. Their programs focus on systems thinking, understanding scale and learning in your own backyard.