Overview: One thing that makes life on Earth possible is a thin layer of gases called the atmosphere. It holds in the air we breathe and protects us from the cold of outer space. When energy in the form of light reaches us from the Sun, it streams through the atmosphere, making plants grow and lighting up our days. In addition to light, the Sun also delivers heat, which warms the planet. But much of that heat is reflected back towards space. This teacher resource guide will help teachers present the "Too Much Carbon Dioxide" video in their classrooms.

Back in the 18th century, people started burning coal to power a new invention: steam engines. But here’s something curious: Ever since steam engines were widely used, starting in about 1850, carbon dioxide in the atmosphere began to climb. Today it stands at 392 parts per million. Parts per million is a special measurement scientists use. 392 is WAY more carbon dioxide than we’ve had for many thousands of years, and the number continues to rise. So where does the extra carbon dioxide come from?

Overview: Back in the 18th century, people started burning coal to power a new invention: steam engines. But here’s something curious: Ever since steam engines were widely used, starting in about 1850, carbon dioxide in the atmosphere began to climb. Today it stands at 392 parts per million. Parts per million is a special measurement scientists use. 392 is WAY more carbon dioxide than we’ve had for many thousands of years, and the number continues to rise. So where does the extra carbon dioxide come from?
This teacher resource guide can help teachers present the "Where Does Carbon Dioxide Come From" video in their classrooms.

Rapid climate change isn’t something that will happen in the future. It’s a problem that started when your grandparents were young. That means that today some of the early effects are happening all around us. In the mountains of the American West, warming temperatures are already having a big effect on the delicate balance of life.

Overview: Rapid climate change isn’t something that will happen in the future. It’s a problem that started when your grandparents were young. That means that today some of the early effects are happening all around us. In the mountains of the American West, warming temperatures are already having a big effect on the delicate balance of life.
This teacher resource guide will help teachers present the "Climate Change in the American West" vide in their classrooms.

From extreme weather to threatened ways of life, the effects of climate change are real, and they are happening right now around the globe. As the Earth warms, the atmosphere contains more energy and moisture. These drive extreme weather, such as crippling heat waves, heavier rains and more powerful hurricanes. It even causes severe drought in some places -- because a warming Earth increases evaporation, too, drying out some places and causing a lot more dust and particles to get in the air. In the mountains of the American West, warming temperatures are already having a big effect on the delicate balance of life.

Overview: From extreme weather to threatened ways of life, the effects of climate change are real, and they are happening right now around the globe. As the Earth warms, the atmosphere contains more energy and moisture. These drive extreme weather, such as crippling heat waves, heavier rains and more powerful hurricanes. It even causes severe drought in some places -- because a warming Earth increases evaporation, too, drying out some places and causing a lot more dust and particles to get in the air. In the mountains of the American West, warming temperatures are already having a big effect on the delicate balance of life.
This teacher resource guide will help teachers present the "Climate Change Around the World" video in their classrooms.

Oceans cover about 70 percent of the planet, and they are bursting with life. At least 230,000 species live here, but our oceans are deep and truly massive, and scientists suspect there could be ten times that amount. Life on land is dependent on the oceans, too. Water that evaporates from the oceans is the largest source of rainfall on the planet, and their gigantic, swirling currents of warm and cold water drive many of the climate and wind patterns that affect life on land. And of course, people depend on the oceans as a vital source of food.

Overview: Oceans cover about 70 percent of the planet, and they are bursting with life. At least 230,000 species live here, but our oceans are deep and truly massive, and scientists suspect there could be ten times that amount. Life on land is dependent on the oceans, too. Water that evaporates from the oceans is the largest source of rainfall on the planet, and their gigantic, swirling currents of warm and cold water drive many of the climate and wind patterns that affect life on land. And of course, people depend on the oceans as a vital source of food.
This teacher resource guide will help teachers present the "Rapid Climate Change and the Oceans" video in their classrooms.

We already know that Rapid Climate Change is happening, but how bad could it get? The answer lies with us, human beings. That's because the decisions we make now will determine if the effects of Rapid Climate Change are mild or extreme. Scientists who study the climate tell us that if we continue to add carbon to the atmosphere at the current rate, the Earth will get a lot warmer in the coming years and decades. They use big, brainy computers to simulate what the climate will look like in the future.

Overview: We already know that Rapid Climate Change is happening, but how bad could it get? The answer lies with us, human beings. That's because the decisions we make now will determine if the effects of Rapid Climate Change are mild or extreme. Scientists who study the climate tell us that if we continue to add carbon to the atmosphere at the current rate, the Earth will get a lot warmer in the coming years and decades. They use big, brainy computers to simulate what the climate will look like in the future.
This teacher resource guide will help teachers present the "Climate of the Future is in our Hands" video in their classrooms.

A lever consists of two parts: a bar and a fulcrum. The fulcrum is a fixed point that supports the straight bar and allows the bar to turn or pivot.

An inclined plane is a flat, slanted surface and is sometimes called a ramp.

A screw consists of an inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder. As a force is applied, the threads of the screw turn and exert an outward force.

A wedge consists of two inclined planes positioned back to back. Mechanical advantage increases as the wedge gets longer and thinner.

A wheel and axle consists of two circular objects of different sizes. As the wheel grows bigger relative to the axle, mechanical advantage increases.

DNA is the fundamental unit of heredity and is found in our cells. It contains the information that living things need to grow and maintain themselves.

Animation depicts the route Darwin traveled in 1831 for 5 years to various locations around the world, including South America, the Galapagos Islands, and other locations in the Pacific.

Speciation is the evolution of one or more new species from a single existing species. This diagram depicts the likely evolutionary relationship between different species of finches.