Carbon Connections
The Carbon Cycle and the Science of Climate

Carbon Connections is a three-unit, online curriculum for students in grades 9–12 designed to improve their understanding of the carbon cycle and the science of Earth's climate. The concepts of the units combine science across all fields of study. You can find out more about the field test, the project, and it's partners in the About section of this site.

This site is under revision!

However, the site is functional and we welcome and encourage you to explore some or all of the content and features available for students and teachers, but please be aware that the content is still in development.

This current site was developed for the field-test version of Carbon Connections. The final site will be completely updated, based on feedback we received during the field-test, and will include additional content. All site revisions and additions will be completed in early spring, 2012.

The field-test was conducted in spring, 2011, by many teachers and thousands of students across the country (approximately 40 States were represented). Due to the great feedback and data we collected during the field-test, the Carbon Connections site will greatly improve.

To learn more about just some of the revisions and additions, or to sign up for the next course in late fall, 2011, please go to the About section of this site.

Meanwhile, please check back in spring 2012!!!


Unit 1:
Past Carbon & Climates

  • Linking the carbon cycle & climate science
  • Using geologic records to infer Earth's past climates
  • Studying the multidisciplinary nature of climate science
  • Testing forcing factors, responses, and systems-thinking
  • Thinking of oceans as a carbon reservoir

Unit 2:
Current Carbon & Climate

  • Global processes: photosynthesis, carbon-fixing, and respiration
  • Rate-limiting factors: carbon-fixing, terrestrial and marine
  • How the planet "breathes"
  • Modeling global carbon cycling
  • Energy use relates to carbon cycle

Unit 3:
Future Carbon & You

  • Key climate forcings for climate variability, climate change
  • An innovative empirical model to test climate variation from 1980-2010
  • Proxy records, indicators, and anomalies for systems, as Earth's climate
  • Individual energy use
  • Climate Science FAQs