Poker Chip Model: Global Carbon Pools and Fluxes

In this activity, students will gain an "understanding of a commonly published diagram of global carbon pools and fluxes. Students create a scaled 3-D visual of carbon pools and net fluxes between pools with anthropogenic influences." Targeted at middle school through undergraduate students (grades 6 through 16), the activity requires a basic understanding of the global carbon cycle, forms of carbon in various pools, and types of fluxes, and a familiarity with units of mass, especially the Gigaton (Gt). One 50 minute class period is needed for the activity and discussion. For the activity, poker chips, bingo chips, CDs or DVDs (used or new), and a drawstring bag to hold the chips are needed. The downloadable package, called "Poker Chip Model of Global Carbon Pools and Fluxes" is a .zip file (2.1 MB) and includes a carbon reserves diagram and directions.