Into Thin Air: What happens to leaves when they decompose?

Students will expand on their understanding of carbon cycling by measuring the concentration of CO2 and O2 in sealed containers with decomposing leaves. Students will gain experience using the Vernier LabQuest system with two gas sensors. They will also graph data and use the data to evaluate their predictions about what will happen to the carbon inside leaves.

Students will expand on their understanding of carbon cycling and decomposition by measuring the concentration of CO₂ over time in closed containers with decomposing materials.  In Part 1, they will set up coffee cans in a natural area, in Part 2 they will set up student-designed experiments in the classroom or in the natural area.  Students will gain experience using the Vernier LabQuest system.  They will also gain experience with the scientific method: designing, conducting, analyzing, and presenting the results of an experiment.

• Understand that decomposition is a central step in carbon cycling
• List several environmental determinants of the rate of decomposition
• Design and conduct an experiment, beginning with hypothesis development and ending in a classroom poster symposium

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Middle school