Heat Trap Teacher Guide The Heat Trap
Teacher Facilitation Guide
6th Grade Science
Learning Objective
Students will be able to explain the greenhouse effect using the "blanket" analogy , identifying how specific gases like carbon dioxide trap solar energy in Earth's atmosphere.
Timing
45 Minutes
Standard Class Period
Materials Required
2 Identical Glass Jars (per group)
2 Thermometers (per group)
Plastic Wrap and Rubber Bands
A Sunny Windowsill (or heat lamp)
Heavy Wool or Fleece Blanket
Heat Trap Lab Worksheets
Instructional Steps
5m
The Human Blanket (Hook)
Wrap a volunteer in a heavy blanket. Ask them: "How do you feel? Is the blanket making heat, or just trapping yours?" Explain that the Earth has its own "blanket" made of gases.
10m
Visualizing Change (Video)
Watch Climate Change: Crash Course Kids #41.2 . Pause at 2:53 to discuss the purple "blanket" visual. Ask: "What gas is mentioned as the main ingredient in this blanket?" (Carbon Dioxide).
25m
The Heat Trap (Lab)
Students set up two jars: one open (Control) and one covered with plastic wrap (The Greenhouse). Place both in sunlight. Record temperatures every 2 minutes. Discuss how the plastic wrap acts like the CO2 "blanket."
5m
Check for Understanding
Distribute the Exit Ticket. Students must draw and label the Earth, the atmosphere, incoming solar energy, and outgoing trapped heat.
Key Discussion Anchors
1. The Jenga Analogy [2:30 in video]
"Why is an ecosystem like Jenga? What happens to the fox if the cactus disappears?"
2. Trap vs. Generate
"Does CO2 create its own heat like a fire? Or does it hold onto heat like a blanket?"
3. The Lab Connection
"Which jar represents our current atmosphere? If we added more layers of plastic, what would happen?"
Common Misconceptions
"The Greenhouse Effect is bad": Clarify that without it, Earth would be too cold for life. The problem is an enhanced greenhouse effect (too much trapping)."Sunlight is heat": Explain that solar energy enters as light, hits the surface, and is re-radiated as heat (infrared) which then gets trapped. Heat Trap Presentation Slides The Heat Trap
Exploring the Greenhouse Effect & Earth's Invisible Blanket
The Human Blanket
"Is the blanket making you hot, or is it just keeping you from getting cold?"
Earth's atmosphere works exactly like this! It traps the energy we already have.
Visualizing the Change
Watch & Learn
Embedded media
Look for...
The "Purple Blanket" at 2:53.
Think about...
Why is an ecosystem like a game of Jenga ?
The Earth's Blanket
How Carbon Dioxide works
1. Solar Energy
CO2 Layer
2. Trapped Heat
Lab: The Heat Trap
A
Jar A (The Control): Open top. Represents Earth with a thin atmosphere.
B
Jar B (The Greenhouse): Plastic wrap top. Represents CO2 trapping heat.
Prediction: Which jar will be hotter after 10 minutes?
Jar A
Jar B
Key Takeaway
More Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere acts like a thicker blanket, trapping more heat and causing Climate Change.
Ready to collect your data? Let's go!
Heat Trap Lab Worksheet THE HEAT TRAP
Lab Investigation Worksheet
Name:
Date:
The Big Question
How does a cover (like an atmosphere) affect the temperature inside a container? How does this relate to the Earth's "blanket" of carbon dioxide?
Hypothesis
If we place both jars in the sun, then Jar _______ will have a higher temperature because...
Observation Log
Time (Min) Jar A (Open) Temp Jar B (Covered) Temp 0 (Start) 2 4 6 8 10
Data Analysis
1. Compare the results. Which jar had the greatest change in temperature?
2. In this experiment, what does the plastic wrap represent in the Earth's atmosphere?
3. Thinking back to the video: If the "blanket" of Carbon Dioxide gets thicker, what happens to the Jenga tower of an ecosystem?
4. Connect to real life: Why do scientists worry about adding more Carbon Dioxide to our air?
The Visual Link
Draw the energy movement in Jar B. Use arrows to show where the energy enters and why it can't leave.
Earth Blanket Exit Ticket EXIT TICKET
Earth's Invisible Blanket
Name:
"Explain the greenhouse effect by drawing and labeling a diagram of the Earth and its atmosphere."
Your Diagram Here
Checklist:
☐ Draw the Sun & Earth
☐ Draw the "Blanket" (Atmosphere)
☐ Label Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
☐ Draw energy entering & trapping
In Your Own Words
How does the blanket analogy explain why the Earth is getting warmer?
How well do you understand this?
Got it!
Still practicing
Help needed
