The Carbon Cycle Game

Centers for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence

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In this activity, learners take on the role of a carbon atom and record which reservoirs in the carbon cycle they visit. Learners will compare and contrast their trip with those of other learners to discover information about sources and sinks, and residence times of the different reservoirs. Ocean processes are highlighted to allow the educator to define the biological pump and explain its importance to climate. Helping learners understand the carbon cycle is essential to their understanding of the causes and consequences of climate change.

Preparation Time:: 45 to 60 minutes
Learning Time:: 30 to 45 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:: $10 - $20 per group of students
Age Range:: Ages 11 - 18
Resource Types:: Activity, Game, Lesson/Lesson Plan
Language:: English

Materials List (per group of students)

Carbon Cycle Game Dice Template (color template or b&w template)
Scissors, tape, scrap paper (optional but recommended)
Carbon Reservoir Station Markers (color markers or b&w markers)
Pony beads (white, light blue, dark blue, light green, pink, dark green, orange, purple, grey, and brown; if not necessarily these, you will need 10 distinctly different colors)
Pieces of string or lanyard (at least 8 inch long)
Carbon Cycle Game Worksheets
Pencils or pens
Unopened undisturbed bottle of seltzer or clear soda (optional)
Cups

Keywords

Subjects

Earth and Space Science
- Earth Processes
  - Geochemical Cycles
  - Weather and Climate
- Earth Structure
  - Oceans and Water
  - Atmosphere
Life Sciences
- Diversity of Life
  - Plants
- Ecology
  - Energy Flow and Chemical Cycles
Physical Sciences
- Chemistry
  - Chemistry of Life
- Structure and Properties of Matter
  - Elements and Periodic Table
The Nature of Science
- Science and Society
  - Risks and Benefits
The Nature of Technology
- Technology and Society
  - Impacts of Technology
  - Technology and the Environment

Informal Categories

Games
Nature and Environment

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

see
see color
read
be mobile
touch

Learning styles supported:

Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Includes alignment to state and/or national standards:

Ocean Literacy Principles

Includes assesments for student learning:

This resource is part of:

COSEE Activities

Access Rights:

Free access

By:

COSEE NOW

Rights:

Funding Sources:

National Science Foundation, 0827983
National Science Foundation, 0828142
National Science Foundation, 0827953
NOAA National Sea Grant
Office of Naval Research
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration