Climate Change Toolkit: The Greenhouse Effect in a Beaker

Worksheets

Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Chemistry, Mathematics

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by Paleontological Research Institution

Open Resource

What it is

This experiment will demonstrate the causes and impacts of the Greenhouse Effect in a hands-on and engaging way.
Students will learn about radiant energy, Earth's atmosphere, and the Greenhouse Effect while participating in a lab that mimics the Greenhouse Effect in ways that are immediate and observable.

Teaching tips

Positives

This activity is thorough and the reading at the beginning will be helpful for student understanding of the greenhouse effect.
While the lab is involved, it can be differentiated and is manageable for students at a variety of levels.

Additional Prerequisites

Students and teachers can watch this related video to see the experiment being completed.
Students should be familiar with lab safety prior to this activity.
To complete the experiment, teachers will need a heat lamp, two 1-liter beakers, two digital thermometers, small flexible tubing, a flask with a stopper, and NaHCO₃ tablets.

Differentiation

Cross curricular connections can be made in math classes by using the data collected or provided to graph the outcome of the experiment, or in language arts classes by writing an informational or procedural piece about the experiment or the Greenhouse Effect.
If the materials are not accessible or students are not able to complete the physical lab for any reason, the data provided on page 6 can be used to graph results.

From the scientist review

This resource presents an experiment in which carbon dioxide gas produced using water and antacid tablets fills a beaker and temperatures are measured and compared to a control beaker. The experiment description is clear and the resource includes supporting information to describe what is happening within the experiment. This resource is recommended for teaching.

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At a glance

Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects: Chemistry, Mathematics
Other types: Experiments
Format: PDF
Language: English
Location: Earth
Provider: Paleontological Research Institution
Authors: Paleontological Research Institution
Published: June 29, 2022
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · MS-PS4-2. + 28 more

Core

Core Standards legacy

MS-PS4-2.MS-PS4-2. Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials.
MS-ESS3-5.MS-ESS3-5. Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.3CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.3 Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.9CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.9 Compare and contrast the information gained from experiments, simulations, video, or multimedia sources with that gained from reading a text on the same topic.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.10CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.10 By the end of grade 8, read and comprehend science/technical texts in the grades 6-8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.

New Jersey Climate Education Hub

New Jersey Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-PS4-2.MS-PS4-2. Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials.

Oregon Climate Education Hub

Oregon Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

6-8.RST.36-8.RST.3 Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks.
6-8.RST.96-8.RST.9 Compare and contrast the information gained from experiments, simulations, video, or multimedia sources with that gained from reading a text on the same topic.
6-8.RST.106-8.RST.10 By the end of grade 8, read and comprehend science/technical texts in the grades 6-8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
8.PS4.28.PS4.2 Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials.

Wisconsin Climate Education Hub

Wisconsin Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-PS4-2.MS-PS4-2. Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials.

Maine Climate Education Hub

Maine Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-PS4-2MS-PS4-2 Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials.
R.6-8.12R.6-8.12 Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.

New York Climate Education Hub

New York Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-PS4-2.MS-PS4-2. Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials.

Connecticut Climate Education Hub

Connecticut Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.3CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.3 Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.9CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.9 Compare and contrast the information gained from experiments, simulations, video, or multimedia sources with that gained from reading a text on the same topic.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.10CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.10 By the end of grade 8, read and comprehend science/technical texts in the grades 6-8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
MS-PS4-2.MS-PS4-2. Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials.
MS-ESS3-5.MS-ESS3-5. Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century.

ECCLPs Climate Education Hub

ECCLPs Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-PS4-2.MS-PS4-2. Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials.

Michigan Climate Education Hub

Michigan Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-PS4-2MS-PS4-2 Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials.
RSLSTS.6-8.3.RSLSTS.6-8.3. Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks.
RSLSTS.6-8.9.RSLSTS.6-8.9. Compare and contrast the information gained from experiments, simulations, video, or multimedia sources with that gained from reading a text on the same topic.
RSLSTS.6-8.10.RSLSTS.6-8.10. By the end of grade 8, read and comprehend science/technical texts in the grades 6-8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.

Illinois Climate Education

Illinois Climate Education Standards legacy

RST.6-8.3.RST.6-8.3. Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks.
RST.6-8.9.RST.6-8.9. Compare and contrast the information gained from experiments, simulations, video, or multimedia sources with that gained from reading a text on the same topic.
RST.6-8.10.RST.6-8.10. By the end of grade 8, read and comprehend science/technical texts in the grades 6–8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
MS-PS4-2.MS-PS4-2. Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials.
MS-ESS3-5.MS-ESS3-5. Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century.

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