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National Cayman Trust

AU2.1 What is the Greenhouse Effect?

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About Lesson

Duration: 65 minutes 

This fun hands on experiment will take the students one step closer to understanding the Greenhouse Effect and how heat is trapped in the atmosphere and its impacts on climate change. They will take part in an experiment and predict the outcomes they expect and then compare then to the results at the end. This is an introduction to the Greenhouse Effect and a more in-depth lesson on the subject will follow. 

Educational Goals: 

  • Students will learn about what climate change is, and what causes it
  • They will complete a hands-on activity to develop their understanding of how heat is trapped by the atmosphere
  • They will an introduction to the concept of the Greenhouse Effect and think about how this might impact climate change

Materials: 

  • 2 jars or containers with sealable and removable lids
  • 2 small plants
  • 2 thermometers
  • Stopwatch

Preparation: 

  • A pre-set up experiment is optional, it may be more fun to have the materials on hand and let the students set up their own experiments with guidance, if doing it in groups
  • Make sure you have some way of noting down the data as you record

Lesson Plan

  • Begin with a recap of the previous weather and climate lesson.
  • Remind students that climate changes over longer lengths of time.

  • Using the activity guide, take the students through the Greenhouse Effect experiment
  • Ask students to make predictions about what they think will happen
  • Take temperature measurements throughout the lesson

Key Questions 

  • Will the temperature change for either jars?
  • Why might the temperature be changing in the jar with the lid?

  • Discuss what has happened with the two jars
  • Ask the students if their predictions were accurate
  • Discuss why they think the jar with the lid was warmer than the jar without

Key Questions 

  • Why do you think the jar with the lid was warmer then the jar without?
  • Did you predictions line up with the results?
  • Does anyone have any idea why this activity may be linked to climate change?
  • Why might it be called the Greenhouse Effect?

  • This activity could take place over the course of a day and be used to model data, work with data handling and plot data on a graph. Running it this way could lead to greater interest, more engagement and opportunity to keep referring to the predictions. This would allow the students to change their predictions and conjectures about what is happening and why, further reinforcing the concept.
  • This activity could also be done as a secret - where there is a reveal at the end and thereby creates some drama over the course of the day or lesson.

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Lessons
Atmosphere Mini Unit Teacher Starter Pack AU1.1 What is the difference between Climate & Weather AU2.1 What is the Greenhouse Effect? AU2.2 How are Human Activities Amplifying the Greenhouse Effect's Impact on Earth's Systems? AU2.3 How does Climate Change Affect the Ocean? AU3.1 How is Climate Change Affecting Climate and Weather in Cayman? AU Summative Project 1: What can WE do? AU Summative Project 2: What is Climate Change doing to the Atmosphere and Oceans around Cayman?
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