SWISP Lab x Science Gallery Bengaluru Carbon Mediators: Playing HAK.io ‘off beat’

Co-designed by Carbon Mediators X SWISP Lab.

Step 1 Assemble

Carbon icebreaker: word prompt generation – what are the uses of Carbon in daily life? (5 mins of activity).

Everyone generates word in response to ‘what are the uses of Carbon in daily life?‘ and writes it on a post-it-note.

What if the group gets stuck? To help with this we asked Chat GPT what words might be useful to introduce just in case someone in the workshop gets stuck. Here are some key terms that can be helpful:

Atom: The basic unit of a chemical element. Carbon is the sixth element in the periodic table with its own unique atomic structure.
Element: A substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances. Carbon is one of the 118 known elements.
Carbon Cycle: The process by which carbon is exchanged among the biosphere, pedosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere of the Earth.
Photosynthesis: A process used by plants and other organisms to convert light energy, usually from the sun, into chemical energy that can be later released to fuel the organisms’ activities. Carbon dioxide is a key component in this process.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2): A colourless, odourless gas produced by burning carbon and organic compounds and by respiration. It is naturally present in air and is absorbed by plants in photosynthesis.
Fossil Fuels: Natural fuels such as coal or gas, formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms. They are major sources of carbon emissions when burned.
Greenhouse Gas: A gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation. Carbon dioxide is a major greenhouse gas.
Carbon Footprint: The total amount of greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide and methane) that are generated by our actions.
Organic Compound: Any of a large class of chemical compounds whose molecules contain carbon.
Carbonate: A salt of the anion CO3, typically formed in sedimentary processes. Limestone and chalk are two examples of carbonate rocks.
Carbon Isotopes: Variants of the carbon atom with different numbers of neutrons, such as Carbon-12, Carbon-13, and Carbon-14 (used in radiocarbon dating).
Carbon Sequestration: The process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide. It is one method of reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere with the goal of reducing global climate change.
Diamond and Graphite: Allotropes of carbon, meaning they are forms of the same element with different molecular structures. Diamonds are used in jewelry and cutting tools, while graphite is used in pencils and as a lubricant.
Fullerenes: Molecules of carbon atoms arranged in a hollow sphere, ellipsoid, or tube. Known for their strength and conductivity.
Nanotubes: Cylindrical nanostructures made of carbon atoms that have novel properties, including high strength and electrical conductivity.

In this Carbon icebreaker game after generating a word each the participants begin to move around to locate and catch a related partner just as carbon does. In this activity carbon bonds are created and knowledge shared. Go!

Image above available online from Lumen Learning

Step 2 Devils advocate – The Carbon Courtroom

This game builds off of the Hacking Climate Stories card to engage students in a debate about the benefits and drawbacks of carbon in various forms and its impact on the environment, technology, and society.

Participants:

Two Teams: Pro-Carbon (Arguing in favour of carbon’s benefits) and Anti-Carbon (Arguing against carbon’s negative impacts).
One Judge: This participant will oversee the debate, ensure rules are followed, and ultimately decide the winning side based on the strength of arguments.

Materials Needed:

Fact sheets about carbon, its uses, impact, and issues.
Timer.
Scoreboard (optional).

Game Setup:

Divide the group into two teams.
Appoint one participant as the judge.
Provide each group with a fact sheet that includes key information about carbon.

Game Play:

Introduction (2 minutes)
- The judge introduces the topic: “Is Carbon More Beneficial or Detrimental to Our World?”
- Each team is given one minute to quickly discuss their initial thoughts.
Opening Statements (4 minutes)
- Each team has 2 minutes to present their opening statement.
- Pro-Carbon Team goes first, followed by the Anti-Carbon Team.
Argument Rounds (8 minutes)
- There are two rounds of arguments.
- In each round, each team gets 2 minutes to present their arguments.
- After each round, the judge can ask one clarifying question to each team.
Rebuttal Round (4 minutes)
- Each team has 2 minutes to rebut the opposing team’s arguments.
- Teams should focus on countering specific points made by their opponents.
Closing Statements (1 minute)
- Each team has 30 seconds to make their closing statements, summarizing their key points.
Judgement (1 minute)
- The judge summarises the arguments and declares a winner based on the persuasiveness and accuracy of the arguments.
- The judge may also give feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of each team’s arguments.

Rules:

No interruptions during the other team’s speaking time.
Facts presented must be based on the provided material or general scientific consensus.
Respectful language and demeanor must be maintained throughout the debate.

Debrief (Post-Game Discussion):

After the game, lead a class discussion reflecting on what was learned. Discuss how carbon’s role is multifaceted and the importance of considering multiple perspectives in environmental and scientific issues.

Additional Tips:

Carbon is essential, but at the same time extremely exploited.
Encourage creativity in arguments, perhaps even using role-play (e.g., a team member acting as a scientist, environmentalist, etc.).
If time allows, consider a brief open floor after the formal debate for questions from the audience (other students).

Step 3 Carbon badges (10 mins activity)

Using the words that were generated in the Carbon icebreaker and the courtroom hack, participants follow the card prompts to create a carbon identity badge.