It is an inquiry designed to model the flow of a carbon atom as it travels through the carbon cycle.
Students also make connections about how human activities affect the carbon cycle.
Since students work in small groups, the collective, shared prior knowledge of group members is adequate to complete the activity. This activity can be adjusted to meet the capabilities of students across a relatively wide range of abilities. To make the activity easier, you could print a copy of table 1 with the information deleted. This gives the students a starting point. However, for all classes, it is encouraged that the student generate and develop their own unique carbon cycle, including major carbon reservoirs and fluxes.