Photosynthesis

Project: Modeling Carbon Storage through Photosynthesis

How does photosynthesis lead to carbon storage in forests?

Teacher Note

This is a good activity for students to work in small groups. It gives students the opportunity to collect data and display it in a graph. Students also have the opportunity to design a model to represent measurements of carbon storage across the United States.

Students may require guidance in choosing the best way to design their model and how to best represent the data. You may advise them of ways to represent different pieces of information through the use of different colors or materials. Students may complete the activity in pairs or small groups. Use this as a summative assessment to show they understand how plants remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Carbon sequestration is the process in which carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere and held in solid or liquid form. Carbon sequestration happens naturally in forests. Research how photosynthesisglossary term (opens in a new window) can result in the storage of carbon in our forests. Find out how efficient different types of trees are at storing carbon. Preview the questions below before you start. Then complete the activities described.

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Organize your data and display it in a graph. Construct a model to represent the different forest types in the United States and the relative amounts of carbon these forests can store. Use the questions below to guide your research and create a model.

<div use-dimensions="false" tinymce="true">How does photosynthesis allow atmospheric carbon to be stored in living trees?<br></div>
How does photosynthesis allow atmospheric carbon to be stored in living trees?

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<div use-dimensions="false" tinymce="true">How much carbon can different types of trees store?<br></div>
How much carbon can different types of trees store?

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<div use-dimensions="false" tinymce="true">Compile your data into a graph and upload it here.<br></div>
Compile your data into a graph and upload it here.

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<div use-dimensions="false" tinymce="true">Construct a model that represents the different types of forests in the United States and the relative amounts of carbon they store.<br></div>
Construct a model that represents the different types of forests in the United States and the relative amounts of carbon they store.

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Evaluation Criteria
Scale Criteria	3	2	1	0
Question 1	Clearly and fully describe the process of photosynthesis and how it allows the storage of atmospheric carbon in living trees.	Describe aspects of the process of photosynthesis and how it allows the storage of atmospheric carbon in living trees.	Describe the process of photosynthesis but not how it allows for carbon storage.	Makes no description.
Question 2	Identify at least three different types of trees and how much carbon they can store.	Identify at least two different types of trees and how much carbon they can store.	Identify at least one type of tree and how much carbon it can store.	No trees were identified.
Question 3	A graph is uploaded representing the amount of carbon at least three different trees can store.	A graph is uploaded representing the amount of carbon at least two different trees can store.	A graph is uploaded with data about different trees.	No graph is uploaded.
Question 4	Upload a model that accurately represents the different forest types in the United States and how much carbon they can store.	Upload a model that represents some of the different forest types in the United States and how much carbon they can store.	Upload a model that represents how much carbon forests in the United States can store.	No model is provided.

Project: Modeling Carbon Storage through Photosynthesis

How does photosynthesis lead to carbon storage in forests?

Teacher Note

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