The illustration above shows how nitrogen travels through the living and non-living parts of the Earth system. Click on image for full size (190 Kb) NCAR

In this classroom activity, students play the role of nitrogen atoms traveling through the nitrogen cycle to gain understanding of the varied pathways through the cycle and the relevance of nitrogen to living things.

The latest version of this activity is linked below with the other associated files that you will need to play the game in your classroom. Links to related articles on Windows to the Universe provide background information and learning extensions for students.

The Traveling Nitrogen Activity:

• Traveling Nitrogen activity instructions (637K pdf)
  
• Dice Codes and Reservoir Station Signs (1.5MB pdf)
  
• Stamp Templates (50MB pdf)

Related Articles on Windows to the Universe

• Nitrogen
• The Nitrogen Cycle
• Changing the Nitrogen Cycle, Changing the Planet
• Fertilizing the Earth with Nitrogen
• Releasing Nitrogen Pollutants to the Air
• Nitrogen oxides - Nitric oxide (NO) & Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
• Biogeochemical Cycles

  
  

An older version of the game which utilized rubber stamps instead of stickers is also available. If you would like to purchase a Traveling Nitrogen classroom kit, please visit the Windows to the Universe Store.