The GLOBE-Carbon Cycle project joins NASA carbon cycle science with the International GLOBE Education program to bring the most cutting edge research and research techniques in the field of terrestrial ecosystem carbon cycling into K-12 classrooms. Students can collect data about their school field site through existing GLOBE protocols (phenology, land cover and soils) as well as through new protocols and classroom activities focused specifically carbon measurements in terrestrial ecosystems.These new activities include plant-a-plant experiments, hands-on demonstrations of various concepts, and analysis of student-collected data. In addition, students have the opportunity to integrate their data with emerging and expanding technologies including global and local carbon cycle models and remote sensing data. This program design allows students to explore research questions from local to global scales with both present and future environmental conditions. Project Summary Student Activities Modeling Introduces students to the use of modeling in science A variety of models will allow students to understand how carbon is stored and transferred at the ecosystem and global level Connection with field collected data Plant-A-Plant Experiments Hands-on activities: range of cultivation experiments with real plants Exploration and validation of variables necessary for plant growth Demonstration that CO 2 is incorporated into plant biomass Field Measurements Allow students to make connections between the global C cycle and their own schoolyard Used in conjunction with modeling and remote sensing activities Remote Sensing Toolkit Learn how to use remote sensing and satellite imagery Understand how scientists use maps and satellite images to estimate global carbon storage The global carbon cycle is a key component of the Earth's climate regulation system and is an important integrator of ecosystems and the atmosphere. Increasing awareness of the carbon cycle's importance has brought it to the forefront of both science and environmental policy. What Will Students Do? Students will explore the carbon cycle at both a local and global level using a set of computer models built in STELLA. The models have accompanying activities and materials so students at all different starting points will be able to understand the basic concepts of modeling as well as how modeling can teach them about the carbon cycle. Specifically, students will learn how carbon is both stored and transferred within systems and how this can change under various environmental conditions. The use of models in science is not only prevalent, but essential in gaining a complete understanding of systems. Models can be used to recreate past conditions, understand current conditions, and predict future conditions. They can also help synthesize large amounts of complex data and display it in a simplified way. Another important characteristic of models is their ability to help identify gaps in current knowledge, which can lead to a whole new set of research questions. Because models are so important in science research and the use of models is a science skill listed in the National Science Education Standards, GLOBE Carbon Cycle has selected modeling as a major component of the carbon cycle activities. Modeling Student Models Students begin their modeling experience by performing hands-on classroom demonstrations of models and move quickly to computer models using the same examples, in order to learn basic modeling principles as well as specific modeling terms and concepts. A 1-box biomass accumulation model was designed to increase understanding of basic modeling principles, while also introducing students to the concept of carbon storage in biomass. Field measurement protocols have been developed specifically to interface with this model, allowing students the ability to explore a real world example of biomass accumulation and carbon storage. A global carbon cycle model was built using values and relationships found in the carbon cycle diagram, which is based on numerous scientific studies. Students are able to explore changes in atmospheric CO 2 and temperature through the use of this model. Plant-a-Plant: CO 2 Experiment In the Plant-a-Plant experiment, students explore how the amount of CO 2 affects maize growth. In an experimental setup, CO 2 concentration is reduced in the treatment bottle (using sodium hydroxide), and students observe differences in plant size, leaf color, and plant dry-weight between the control and treatment. Suggested questions: 1.How much CO 2 does the air contain? 2.Where is CO 2 stored in a plant´ s body? 3.Do the roots need CO 2 as well as leaves? Cultivation in 1 Liter milk bottles CO 2 deprived Control NaOH absorbs CO 2 Field Measurements Field measurements provide students with the opportunity to connect classroom science with the natural world. Students set up field plots similar to those of the US Forest Service and other research programs. They measure tree diameter and use allometric equations to calculate plot biomass and aboveground carbon storage. Students are also guided through the process of data analysis where they can compare biomass and carbon storage across tree components, species, and plots. Acknowledgement: NSF GLOBE award , Exploring Ecosystems and the Atmosphere in the K-12 Classroom: A Plan to Integrate NASA Carbon Cycle Science with GLOBE Scott Ollinger*, Sarah Silverberg *, Jana Albrechtova †, Rita Freuder *, Lara Gengarelly *, Mary Martin *, Annette Schloss * * University of New Hampshire, New Hampshire, USA, † Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic GLOBE Carbon Cycle: Integrating the science of carbon cycling and climate change into K-12 classrooms. Contact us: Because interactions among humans, the atmosphere and climate are complex and operate over long time scales, societal interest in the carbon cycle is only likely to intensify in the coming decades. This has created a need for improved public understanding and an educated workforce that can apply scientific knowledge to formulation of sound environmental policy. Whereas the need for better scientific understanding has led to a number of new research endeavors, carbon cycle education initiatives have lagged. The NSF-funded GLOBE-Carbon Cycle Project was designed to help meet this need.