Lesson A5 - Learning more about carbon cycle transitions - photosynthesis and respiration

MAIN SUBJECTS

Natural sciences / Physics / Chemistry

DURATION

Preparation: 30min

Activity: 1h (+ a few hours to let the experiments run)

AGE GROUP

12-15 years

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After the introduction to the carbon cycle provided by the last lesson, this worksheet illustrates, through experiments, how carbon moves between two reservoirs – plants and atmosphere.

During this lesson, students will learn that:

• Plants capture CO2 from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, and release CO2 into the atmosphere through respiration.

• Photosynthesis occurs only in the presence of light, while respiration occurs in both light and darkness.

• Photosynthesis plays a major role in the carbon cycle at a global scale.

TEACHING METHOD

Experimentation