Greenhouse Gas Labs

Students make their own mini-earths using aquariums and soil and then manipulate the carbon dioxide content of the "atmosphere" by reacting baking soda and vinegar (releasing carbon dioxide gas). The "sun" is simulated by heat lamps shining down on the aquariums and students measure the effect of the gases on the temperature of tanks.

The lab stresses basic experimental concepts such as formulating a hypothesis, determining the independent and dependent variables, graphing data, and drawing conclusions. The simplest version is the "CO2 only" version. The aquarium set up can be used to test the effect of several other variables on temperature, providing students with more examples of independent variables so that the can practice identifying this rather abstract concept. Ideas for this lab can be found in the "stations approach" lab sheet. Other independent variables include gravel color, container size, etc.

The lab is appropriate for biology and environmental science classes in units covering greenhouse gases, renewable fuels, or basic experimental design skills. For chemistry classes, it can be used to study gas laws, to extend organic chemistry, or during discussions of types of reactions (using the reaction of baking soda and vinegar as an example).

Below is a sample completed lab sheet:

Greenhouse effect and global warming tutorial

I use this simple powerpoint to introduce the greenhouse effect and its relationship to global warming. It also contains introductory material for the aquarium-greenhouse effect lab shown above.

Click here to download .pdf file

Click here to download word file