Energy Change: Chemical Reactions in Climate Science
Created byKim Likins
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Energy Change: Chemical Reactions in Climate Science

Grade 10Science3 days
This project-based learning experience for 10th-grade science students focuses on examining the role of chemical reactions in climate change, particularly through energy changes in reactions. Students engage in various activities, such as investigating bond energies, developing models of chemical reactions, and analyzing their environmental impacts, to understand and illustrate how these reactions contribute to climate dynamics. The project includes a simulated Climate Crisis Tribunal to deepen students' comprehension and argumentation skills, focusing on real-world implications and policy ethics. This educational approach aligns with NGSS standards, fostering scientific reasoning, model development, and critical thinking around energy changes, climate science, and their implications.
Chemical ReactionsClimate ChangeEnergy ChangesModel DevelopmentEnvironmental ImpactPolicy Ethics
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we effectively model and analyze the impact of chemical reactions on energy changes, and how do these changes contribute to climate change?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What is climate change and how does it affect our environment?
  • How do chemical reactions relate to climate change?
  • What role does energy play in chemical reactions related to climate change?
  • How can we develop models to analyze the energy changes in these chemical reactions?
  • What are the impacts of energy release or absorption in chemical reactions on the environment?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Understand and explain the concept of climate change and its effects on the environment.
  • Analyze the relationship between chemical reactions and climate change, focusing on energy changes.
  • Develop and use models to illustrate energy release or absorption in chemical reactions related to climate change.
  • Investigate the role of energy in chemical reactions and its environmental impacts.
  • Critically evaluate and present findings on the impacts of these chemical reactions and energy changes on climate change.

NGSS

HS-PS1-4
Primary
Develop a model to illustrate that the release or absorption of energy from a chemical reaction system depends upon the changes in total bond energy.Reason: The project focuses on analyzing the impact of chemical reactions and their energy changes on climate change, which directly involves developing models about energy changes during chemical reactions.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Climate Crisis Tribunal

Stage a "Climate Crisis Tribunal," assigning teams roles as prosecution, defense, and jury deciding the culpability of chemical reactions in climate consequences. Present scientific evidence focusing on energy changes and model the judgments based on real-world policies and ethics.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Energy and Bonds Investigation

Students will explore the basics of chemical bond energies and how energy is released or absorbed during chemical reactions. This foundation activity helps students understand the essence of the driving question by relating bond energies to climate change.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Introduce the concept of chemical bonds and how energy is stored and released through breaking and forming bonds.
2. Provide examples of common chemical reactions and discuss their energy changes.
3. Use simulation software to visualize bond energies and changes during reactions.
4. Facilitate a discussion on how the principles apply to broader climate topics.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA written reflection or digital presentation explaining how bond energy changes are pivotal to chemical reactions and have implications for climate change.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with HS-PS1-4 by establishing the foundation to develop models illustrating energy changes during chemical reactions.
Activity 2

Chemistry Climate Models

Students will apply their understanding of bond energies to design models that illustrate the energy changes in real-world climate-related chemical reactions. They will focus on CO2 and other greenhouse gases, simulating reactions to depict energy dynamics.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Select specific chemical reactions related to climate change, such as combustion of fossil fuels or CO2 absorption in oceans.
2. Research the energy changes involved in these reactions using credible sources.
3. Develop a model using visual aids or simulation software to represent these energy changes.
4. Compare the effectiveness of different reactions in contributing to climate change energy dynamics.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn illustrated model or simulation depicting energy changes in selected climate-related chemical reactions.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports HS-PS1-4 by enabling students to illustrate how energy changes in chemical reactions relate to climate systems and contribute to global climate change.
Activity 3

Impact Analysis Presentation

Students will evaluate the broader environmental impacts of energy release or absorption during chemical reactions by crafting arguments and presentations. They'll connect their findings to global climate policies and actions.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research global and local impacts of chemical reaction energy changes on the environment.
2. Collect data and case studies showing environmental consequences of these energy changes.
3. Develop an argument connecting chemical reactions, energy changes, and policy implications.
4. Craft a presentation using multimedia to convey findings.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA multimedia presentation assessing the impact of chemical reaction energy changes on the environment, including policy and ethical considerations.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsDeepens understanding of HS-PS1-4 by connecting chemical energy changes to the environmental impact and climate policies.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Climate Change and Chemical Reactions Portfolio Assessment

Category 1

Understanding of Chemical Reactions and Energy Changes

Assessment of students' comprehension of how chemical reactions release or absorb energy, reflecting their grasp on bond energies and their broader implications in climate change.
Criterion 1

Conceptual Understanding

Measures students' grasp of chemical bonds, energy changes, and relevance to climate change.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates sophisticated understanding of chemical bonds and energy changes; clearly relates these to climate change with insightful examples.

Proficient
3 Points

Shows thorough understanding of chemical bonds and energy changes; relates these to climate change with appropriate examples.

Developing
2 Points

Shows emerging understanding of chemical bonds and energy changes; relates these to climate change with some examples.

Beginning
1 Points

Shows initial understanding of chemical bonds and energy changes; struggles to relate these to climate change.

Criterion 2

Application of Concepts

Assesses students' ability to apply understanding of chemical reactions and energy changes to real-world scenarios.

Exemplary
4 Points

Applies concepts of chemical reactions and energy changes innovatively to real-world climate scenarios; provides comprehensive examples.

Proficient
3 Points

Applies concepts of chemical reactions and energy changes appropriately to real-world climate scenarios; provides clear examples.

Developing
2 Points

Applies concepts of chemical reactions and energy changes inconsistently to real-world climate scenarios; provides limited examples.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to apply concepts of chemical reactions and energy changes to real-world climate scenarios; provides insufficient examples.

Category 2

Model Development and Innovation

Evaluates the quality and creativity of models developed to illustrate energy changes in chemical reactions related to climate systems.
Criterion 1

Model Accuracy and Detail

Measures accuracy and attention to detail in models representing energy changes in chemical reactions.

Exemplary
4 Points

Develops models with exceptional accuracy and detail, illustrating energy changes clearly and effectively.

Proficient
3 Points

Develops models with good accuracy and detail, effectively illustrating energy changes.

Developing
2 Points

Develops models with some accuracy and detail, illustrating energy changes inconsistently.

Beginning
1 Points

Models lack accuracy and detail, struggling to illustrate energy changes.

Criterion 2

Creativity and Innovation

Assesses the creativity and innovative approach in representing chemical reactions and their energy dynamics.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates exceptional creativity and innovation in representing chemical reactions and energy dynamics.

Proficient
3 Points

Demonstrates creativity and innovation in representing chemical reactions and energy dynamics.

Developing
2 Points

Demonstrates some creativity and innovation in representing chemical reactions and energy dynamics.

Beginning
1 Points

Demonstrates limited creativity and innovation in representing chemical reactions and energy dynamics.

Category 3

Impact Analysis and Presentation

Assesses students’ ability to analyze the broader environmental impacts of energy changes in chemical reactions and present their findings effectively.
Criterion 1

Environmental Impact Analysis

Evaluates the student's analysis of the environmental impact of chemical reaction energy changes.

Exemplary
4 Points

Performs a comprehensive analysis detailing the environmental impact of energy changes with strong evidence and clear connections to policy implications.

Proficient
3 Points

Performs a thorough analysis detailing the environmental impact of energy changes with evidence and connections to policy implications.

Developing
2 Points

Performs a basic analysis with limited detail on the environmental impact of energy changes and connections to policy implications.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to analyze the environmental impact of energy changes and lacks connections to policy implications.

Criterion 2

Presentation Skills

Measures the effectiveness of students' presentation skills in communicating their findings about chemical reactions and energy changes.

Exemplary
4 Points

Communicates findings with exceptional clarity and impact using multimedia effectively; engages audience thoroughly.

Proficient
3 Points

Communicates findings clearly and effectively using multimedia; engages audience well.

Developing
2 Points

Communicates findings with some clarity; may ineffectively use multimedia and engage audience.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to communicate findings clearly; uses multimedia ineffectively and fails to engage audience.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Reflect on how your understanding of chemical bonds and energy changes in reactions has evolved through this project. How has this understanding changed your perspective on climate change?

Text
Required
Question 2

What was the most challenging aspect of developing models to illustrate energy changes in chemical reactions?

Text
Optional
Question 3

On a scale of 1 to 5, how confident do you feel about explaining the connection between chemical reactions and climate change to others?

Scale
Required
Question 4

Which entry event or portfolio activity helped you most in understanding the impact of energy changes on climate change? Why?

Multiple choice
Required
Options
Climate Crisis Tribunal
Energy and Bonds Investigation
Chemistry Climate Models
Impact Analysis Presentation
Question 5

Reflect on the role of policy and ethics in shaping our responses to climate change. How did the project influence your understanding of these aspects?

Text
Required