VIDEO

VIDEO

Fossil Fuels and Carbon

Fossil Fuels and Carbon

Watch this brief, video picture of practice that captures everyday classroom life and provides real-life examples of how students learn and think about climate change topics.

Grades

3 - 8

Subjects

Earth Science

When asked to name fossil fuels, many students are able to list coal, oil, and natural gas. However, many students have trouble understanding where fossil fuels come from. In addition to this confusion, students may have trouble linking the carbon that was originally in ancient living things to the carbon in fossil fuels. The idea that the carbon used now in fossil fuels also existed millions of years ago is a difficult concept for students to wrap their minds around. It may also be hard for students to understand how long it takes fossil fuels to form. Long periods lose meaning for children as numbers begin to exceed thousands to millions of years.

Watch this video of 6th grade students in South Gate, California—a coastal community. The purpose of this classroom video is to see students discuss what fossil fuels are and how they relate to carbon.

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Writers
Lindsey Mohan, Ph.D.
Tara G. Treiber, B.A. Natural Sciences: Ecology
Marcia S. Matz, M.A. Design
Nicole D. LaDue, M.A.T Earth Science Education
Jenny D. Ingber, Ph.D. Science Education
Jose Marcos-Iga, Ph.D. Natural Resources
Tania T. Hinojosa, M.Ed. Educational Technology
Designer
Cindy Olson
Editors
Kristen Dell, National Geographic Society
Lindsey Mohan, Ph.D.
Chelsea Zillmer
Expert Reviewers
Catie Boarts, Heal the Bay
Jenny D. Ingber
LuAnn Dahlman
Tara G. Treiber, Heal the Bay
other
Last Updated

January 8, 2024

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