Why Does This Scientist Shoot Lasers at Trees?
Provided by: The Kid Should See This|Published on: June 21, 2022|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Articles/Websites
Subjects: Biology, Earth and Space Sciences
Authors: The Kid Should See This, PBS NOVA
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This video and article describes the laser technology used to measure the carbon content of forests.
- These lasers can also be used from the International Space Station to provide quantifiable data for the global importance of forests in sequestering and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The video highlights the research of a diverse female scientist.
- The personal story is interesting and the complicated technology is explained in an approachable way.
- The video highlights how data and technology can be used to gather evidence to support conservation efforts.
Additional Prerequisites
- Students should be familiar with the carbon cycle and the concept of carbon sequestration.
Differentiation
- Before showing the video, have students predict how someone could measure the amount of carbon stored in a forest. Then, show them how to calculate it mathematically using only a tape measure.
- After watching the video, students could brainstorm methods for measuring carbon on their school grounds and identify areas to increase the carbon storage potential.
- Additional resources that may be helpful are Carbon Sequestration: Solutions to Climate Change and Count the Trees.
This resource is a 4-minute video and accompanying website that shows the ways in which one tree scientist is taking observations (from the ground and via satellites) to estimate the amount of carbon stored in trees and forests worldwide. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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