• Assess and present transportation choices that reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
• Research and propose a vehicle that suits their family's needs and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
• Appraise various alternative fueled vehicles and judge whether science and technology alone can solve the problem of global climate change.
• Demonstrate that gases can cause a greenhouse effect.
• Simulate the movement of carbon from fossil fuel reservoirs into the earth's atmosphere.
• Explain how increased atmospheric carbon dioxide is leading to global warming.
• Investigate and report potential effects of global warming and global climate change.

This dynamic, interactive program engages students and their families in the study of the effects their choices have on the environment. Hands-on materials, teacher workshops, in-class guest speakers and this web site support teachers in delivering lessons students will long remember.

The Scrapbook section of this website is a brag-book for Planet Connecticut schools - this is where photos of your classrooms can appear, sharing an inside look at science in action in participating schools.

The links below provide an overview of Planet Connecticut lessons and how each plan addresses Connecticut Science Standards.

Lesson One: Can Gases Act Like a Greenhouse?
Lesson Two: Carbon on the Move
Lesson Three: Climate Change, Wildlife and Wildlands
Lesson Four: Give-Your-Car-A-Break
Lesson Five: Calculators, Automobiles and Climate Change
Lesson Six: Alternative Fuels

Cover sheet and title page (72 KB PDF)

Introduction and outline (18 KB PDF)

Lesson One: Can Gases Act Like A Greenhouse? (45 KB PDF)

In this lab, students will infer a potential for increasing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide leading to global warming by contrasting the temperature rise in a CO2 rich atmosphere to that of normal air when both environments are exposed to a bright light in a controlled experiment.

Objectives:

• Conduct scientific investigations which generally involve the collection of relevant evidence, the use of logical reasoning and creativity in devising hypotheses and explanations to make sense of evidence;
• Identify and control variables in experiments;
• Describe air as a mixture of gases, including water vapor and other liquid and solid particles;
• Identify energy transformations that occur in various systems and recognize that heat is a by-product of energy transformations;
• Compare and contrast different forms of energy in terms of their wavelengths on the electromagnetic spectrum; and
• Identify evidence that waves (e.g., light) can transfer energy between two points.

Lesson Two: Carbon on the Move (724 KB PDF)

Through a reading, demonstration stations, and completion of a puzzle, students will recognize how respiration and photosynthesis move carbon through the earth system, how fossil fuels were formed, and how human activities have altered this movement on a global scale.

Objectives:

• To explain how human activities have altered the earth’s land, oceans and atmosphere;
• Explain how organic matter buried deep enough may be reformed by pressure and heat into fossil fuels, and understand that all organisms in the biosphere are linked to each other and to their physical environments by the transfer and transformation of matter and energy.

Lesson Three: Video - Climate Change, Wildlife and Wildlands (83 KB PDF)

Students will respond to a video on the potential effects of a rapidly changing climate on wildlife and wetlands by identifying how their families may reduce their contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.

Objectives:

• To explain that the number and variety of organisms and populations are dependent on the resources and physical factors of their environment;
• Explain how both organisms and ecosystems can change if the physical conditions of an ecosystem change; and
• Infer that our atmosphere is dynamic and has patterns of weather systems.

Lesson Four: Give Your Car A Break (200 KB PDF)

Over one week of homework activity, students complete two transportation surveys: the Give Your Car A Break - Trip Log and a Family Transportation Survey. At the end of the week students analyze their results to determine the potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions through choosing alternative modes of travel to the single passenger car.

Objectives:

• To investigate and describe human uses of renewable and nonrenewable resources;
• Recognize that science and technology cannot solve every problem faced by society;
• Use scientific knowledge and ways of thinking in personal decision making; and
• Recognize that issues related to science, technology and society often are complex and involve risk/benefit trade-offs.

Lesson Five: Calculators, Automobiles and Climate Change (778 KB PDF)

As a homework assignment, students gather information on their family car(s) and use a Web-based calculator to help them evaluate the potential for reducing CO2 emissions by choosing to use automobiles with higher fuel efficiency. As a class, students evaluate the potential for their community to reduce greenhouse gas emissions though the use of more fuel-efficient cars.

Objectives:

• To describe how technology can contribute to the solution of an individual or community problem;
• Understand that engineers, architects, and others use scientific knowledge to solve practical problems; and
• Recognize that issues related to science, technology and society often are complex and involve risk/benefit trade-offs.

Lesson Six: Alternative Fuels (187 KB PDF)

Students view a video containing news clips on an alternative-fuel vehicle event and read a set of fact sheets on alternative fuels to prepare them to compose a set of questions to ask individuals who operate alternatively powered cars and trucks. Information is provided to help the teacher set up student communication with owners of alternative fuel vehicles. Options include the following: (1) a field trip to an alternative-fuel vehicle event, (2) communication with members of a web-based alternative-fuel vehicle owners club, and (3) organizing a transportation technology fair at your school.

Objectives:

• To investigate and describe human uses of renewable and nonrenewable resources;
• Explain interrelationships between science and technology;
• Describe how technology can contribute to the solution of an individual or community problem;
• Identify and analyze ways in which advances in science and technology have affected each other and society;
• Recognize that issues related to science, technology, and society often are complex and involve risk/benefit trade-offs;
• Identify technological advances that are reported in the media; and
• Understand that engineers and others use scientific knowledge to solve practical problems.

Connecticut Climate Change
To learn more about what Connecticut is doing to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, visit the Connecticut Climate Change web site at http://www.ctclimatechange.com.

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