Meet the Greenhouse Gases

Earth Science Communications Team, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory; California Institute of Technology

Interactive cards with gasses portrayed as super heroes are provided for Water Vapor, Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Ozone, Nitrous Oxide, and Chlorofluorocarbons. On one side of the card is an explanation of how the gas is in its natural form and by clicking on the card, it flips to reveal the impact it has on the atmosphere.

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Notes from our reviewers

The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness. Read what our review team had to say about this resource below or learn more about how CLEAN reviews teaching materials.

This "Stand Alone" resource can be included in a larger lesson or activity focused on greenhouse gases. The cards do not come with a lesson plan but could be used in multiple creative ways such as, trading cards, game pieces, flash cards, developing stories using the characters, or possibly as a starting point for further research of gasses. Background information on greenhouse gasses can be found on the webpage. Printable pages can be made into hard copy cards to use manually.
The characters representing each of the gasses help students to visualize and become acquainted with the attributes of each gas and its relationship in global warming. One side of the card describes the "normal/natural" gas in the environment. The other side of the card describes how that gas is being released and added to the atmosphere by human causes, with negative consequences. The water vapor card describes a feedback process. Cards include compound formula for each gas. The Chlorofluorocarbons hero is not created in nature and the card portrays a negative impact on both sides of the card. Passed initial science review - expert science review pending.
Cartoon heroes capture the attention of the students with vibrant interactive visual cards that help deepen understanding of greenhouse gasses. The text that describes the gasses in the introduction and on the cards is brief and concise making it easier for students to access. The cards contain helpful happy heroes on one side and when flipped they are less so, as they have a negative impact on the atmosphere.