Page 1: Introduction to the Carbon Cycle Gizmo

This page introduces the Carbon Cycle Gizmo simulation and provides some background on photosynthesis and carbon dioxide.

Key points:

• The simulation allows students to follow carbon atom pathways through Earth's systems
• Students start by observing a carbon atom in the atmospheric CO2 reservoir
• Prior knowledge questions cover how plants and animals affect atmospheric carbon levels
• The Gizmo warm-up has students identify initial carbon pathways from the atmosphere

Vocabulary: Photosynthesis - The process by which plants use sunlight, water and carbon dioxide to produce oxygen and energy in the form of sugar

Highlight: The Carbon Cycle Gizmo visualizes possible carbon atom pathways using glowing blue areas to show potential next locations

Example: From the atmosphere, the carbon atom can move to oceanic CO2 or land plants

Page 2: Carbon Pathways Activity

This page covers Activity A, which has students explore carbon pathways between Earth's major systems.

Key points:

• Students create a carbon path starting and ending in the atmosphere
• Each step is labeled with the corresponding Earth system (atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, biosphere)
• The activity demonstrates how carbon moves between different reservoirs

Definition: Hydrosphere - All of Earth's water, including oceans, lakes, rivers, groundwater, and ice

Definition: Geosphere - The rocky, non-living part of Earth including the crust and mantle

Example: A sample carbon path: Atmospheric CO2 → Oceanic CO2 → Shells/Coral → Limestone → Lithosphere → Volcano → Atmospheric CO2

Highlight: This activity reinforces the cyclical nature of the carbon cycle, showing how carbon atoms can return to their starting point through various processes