Demystifying the Greenhouse Effect and Albedo
Provided by: MIT Climate Action Through Education|Published on: January 18, 2025
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Activity - Classroom
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Mathematics
Authors: Lisa Borgatti
Region: Global
Languages: English
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- In this experiment, students build a model of a greenhouse in order to investigate the greenhouse effect, albedo, and their relationship to climate change.
- Students can graph data collected in the experiment to look for relationships and discuss solutions to climate change.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This experiment allows students to have a hands-on experience with the greenhouse effect.
- The lesson plan provides many teacher tips and an answer key, making it easy to teach.
Prerequisites
- The following materials are needed for the experiment:
- Greenhouse template
- Plastic wrap
- Light source (heat lamp)
- Scissors
- Thermometer/temperature probe
- Transparent tape
- Masking tape
- Ruler
- Stopwatch
- Hole puncher
- White and black construction paper (if doing the extension activity about albedo).
- The greenhouse template should be printed on heavy gauge paper or cardstock.
Differentiation & Implementation
- The lesson plan includes many resources about greenhouse gases that can be used for extension.
- The experiment includes a math extension for graphing data, a valuable skill in both math and science.
- In order to complete the pre-lab questions, students need to do quite a bit of reading. To scaffold this for students, you can break it up into a jigsaw, substitute videos for some sections of reading, or present some of the sections to the class.
- To enhance the conversation about solutions to climate change, this lesson on climate change solutions can be used as a follow-up or extension.
A lesson plan for teachers to investigate albedo and the greenhouse effect is available in this resource from MIT's Climate Action through Education (CATE) initiative. Teachers' notes, supplies, and necessary technology are all included in the lesson plan. The use of this resource in the classroom is advised.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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