Monitoring station at Thompson Farm in Durham, NH

The Climate Change Research Center at the University of New Hampshire conducts intensive air quality and climate research in a variety of areas. One aspect of our research involves monitoring background CO₂ levels here in Durham. As a part of the AIRMAP program, we have been measuring atmospheric CO₂ at the Thompson Farm site since 2002. Along with CO₂ data, AIRMAP sites collect a variety of other air quality and meteorological data. From a research standpoint, it is our goal to not only measure atmospheric levels of CO₂, but to take the analysis one step further, and to study the transport mechanisms of air masses, and relationships that exist between CO₂ and other trace atmospheric gasses. This data is available to the public on-line, providing students and scientists alike with a valuable research tool.

Student inquiry can take several forms—from highly guided, simple analysis, to complex, student–directed investigations. The following examples cover a range of grade levels, prior knowledge (both student and teacher), and time commitment.

• Students can explore CO₂'s diurnal cycle by using two carefully selected data sets, in Excel format, to graph the data and complete the accompanying worksheet. This exercise can be used to help establish a relationship between the natural process of photosythesis and the role it plays in climate variability.



• Students can also perform a similar investigation, but in a much more open-ended manner. This can be done by having students select their own data sets by going to the AIRMAP data archive. There are several challenges, with corresponding rewards, to this approach.
  • Teachers will have to spend time familiarizing themselves with details of the downloading process.
  • There is an abundance of choices, which can be confusing to the uninitiated.
  • Students will have to set parameters such as time zone, date range, and period over which data is averaged.
  If you need help wading through this process, please contact our Education Coordinator.



• To add another dimension to the role of student as researcher, you can contact us about becoming trained to use our portable CO₂ lab. This training will give you the chance to practice cutting-edge, contemporary research methods, and to have access to research grade instrumentation for your classroom.