Greenhouse Effect Investigation
Posted by David Wetzel
Greenhouse Effect
Greenhouse effect is the a current science event that discussed widely at all levels of education and beyond. Often students have a basic knowledge of the greenhouse effect; however, many just nod their heads and pretend they know and understand.
I have developed a simply experiment that gives students hands-on, minds-on experience with how the greenhouse effect works.
Greenhouse Experiment
Materials: 2 Thermometers and 1 Large Seal-able Plastic Bag
Procedures:
- Place one thermometer in the plastic bag and seal the bag.
- Record the beginning air temperature in the bag.
- Place the plastic bag in direct sunlight.
- Place the second thermometer next to the bag.
- Record the temperature of the second thermometer.
- Wait 15 minutes and record the temperature on both thermometers.
- Wait 15 more minutes and record the temperatures again.
Questions for Students:
- What observations did they make?
- What was the role of the plastic bag in this experiment?
- What did the thermometer inside the plastic bag measure?
- What was the cause of the temperature increase in the plastic bag?
- What was the effect of the temperature increase in the plastic bag?
- What could they do to lower the temperature of the air inside the plastic bag?
- How can they compare the effects of caused by the temperature increase inside the plastic bag, with the greenhouse effect the earth is undergoing now?
- Other questions will develop as the discussion continues.
Resources
Understanding Scientific Inquiry
Problem Solving and Science Process Skills
Questions to Ask Students in Science Projects
