Cow Farts and Global Warming: What a Gas!

Overview: What a gas! Opening with the anchoring phenomena of cow gas accumulating in a barn causing an explosion, there are many avenues of science for the students to investigate. This storyline presents the steps and resources for students which incorporate digestion, enteric fermentation, and greenhouse gases. Many additional optional topics are addressed such as phylogeny, comparative anatomy, alcoholic/lactic acid fermentation, career possibilities, macromolecules, agriculture practices, food webs, climate change – and more! The culminating activity is for students to research a particular area of interest and EITHER present their research or pitch their solution to global warming.