Greenhouse Effect
Carbon
dioxide is one of the main greenhouse gases that contributes to global
warming. Burning coal and gasoline produces pollution that contributes to
smog and acid rain. Using renewable energy sources (solar, wind, biomass,
geothermal, and hydropower) could help prevent global warming and reduce
pollution and acid rain.
As part
of the Grade 4/CM1 “Sharing The Planet” planner, the students brainstormed
renewable and non-renewable resources at the beginning of the session.
Then
the students simulated carbon dioxide to see how it contributes to global
warming.
Yeast,
sugar, corn syrup….What are we cooking here? Sweet rolls? Not in science
class!
The
Grade 4/CM1 students blended these ingredients to make an innovative form of
fuel!
That’s
right when these two simple ingredients are mixed; living organisms break the
sugar down into ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, and carbon dioxide. While they
were not burning the fuel to prove its usefulness, students understood how
ethanol is being used right now to power some of today’s vehicles! The
yeast-sugar combo is also a great example of a renewable resource.
Students
discovered that the yeast, water, and corn syrup mixture caused a balloon to
inflate over time.
The
balloon expanded and became inflated because it trap
The students finally
realized that the greenhouse effect is important. Without the greenhouse
effect, the Earth would not be warm enough for humans to live. But if the
greenhouse effect becomes stronger, it could make the Earth warmer than
usual. Even a little extra warming may cause problems for humans, plants, and
animals.
Getting their instructions
Going through the fermentation process
Balloon inflated 24 hours later because of the carbon dioxide being produced inside the bottle.