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Climate Change Simulations for the Classroom
These three interactive simulations model how carbon drives warming and how Earth's systems respond. Students start with the greenhouse effect, explore where emissions go in the carbon cycle, and finish with ice-albedo feedback to see why climate change can trigger runaway warming. Each simulation builds on the last, giving students a complete picture of the carbon-climate connection in one classroom unit. Students join by code with no login.
1.The greenhouse effect
The greenhouse effect simulation shows how incoming solar energy and outgoing infrared radiation create Earth's energy balance. Students manipulate atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and watch the model respond: more CO2 traps more heat, temperature rises, and ice melts. The simulation lives at /simulation and aligns with standards on energy flow and climate change. Use it first to establish that CO2 in the atmosphere is the driver.
2.The carbon cycle
The carbon cycle simulation traces where carbon goes: from the atmosphere into the biosphere and hydrosphere, and back again. Students see that burning fossil fuels adds ancient carbon to the modern cycle, raising atmospheric CO2 faster than natural processes can remove it. This simulation explains why greenhouse warming happens and builds the mechanistic understanding that the greenhouse effect alone cannot give. It lives at /carbon-cycle and directly models the cycling of carbon among Earth's systems.
3.Ice and albedo: feedbacks and tipping points
The ice and albedo simulation shows how Earth's reflectivity changes as ice melts. Dark ocean absorbs more heat than white ice, so melting ice triggers more warming, which melts more ice. Students see feedback loops in action and discover why climate can shift abruptly once a tipping point passes. This simulation lives at /ice-albedo and demonstrates how one change to Earth's surface creates feedbacks across systems, deepening understanding of why climate change accelerates.
4.Suggested three-period sequence
Period 1: Start with the greenhouse effect. Have students predict what happens to temperature when CO2 rises, then run the simulation to test their predictions. A discussion question might be: what forms of energy enter and leave Earth?
Period 2: Move to the carbon cycle. Ask students to trace carbon through the simulation and identify which process adds the most CO2 to the atmosphere in the model. Have them explain why natural carbon sinks cannot keep up with fossil fuel burning.
Period 3: Finish with ice and albedo. Students explore the feedback loop and test the tipping-point idea by raising temperatures in the simulation to see ice extent collapse. Close with: why might ice-albedo feedback make climate change harder to stop once it starts?
Questions teachers ask
Do students need to log in?
No. Students join each simulation using a code you provide. No login, no account creation, no email required.
Can I see student results?
Yes. Each simulation includes auto-graded multiple-choice questions. Teachers see live results in real time.
How long does a three-period sequence take?
Each simulation takes 15-25 minutes in class. The full sequence fits one week of daily science class or three double periods.
Can students explore on their own?
Yes. Students can adjust parameters and experiment with the model. The simulation is designed for exploration.
Standards
Try the simulations
The Greenhouse Effect
The Carbon Cycle
Ice & Albedo: Earth's Energy Balance
More resources
Use this resource to teach with live results