7 A Change in Focus for Sustainability in Geoscience Education
This session explores innovative multi-disciplinary structural and institutional strategies to incorporate sustainability and Geoethics, Geoheritage, cultural-environmental interactions, and traditional knowledge into Geoscience education, making it more dynamic and appealing.
Sunday, 19 October 2025
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
HBGCC, 214B
A Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) Comic Book Created to Sustain Texas STEM and Public Acceptance: Carbon-nots to the Rescue!
Paper number: 7-9
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 10:05 AM – 10:20 AM
Authors
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Dolores van der Kolk Presenting AuthorBureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences, UT Austin, Austin, TX
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Francine MastrangeloBureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences, UT Austin, Austin, TX
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Susan HovorkaBureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences, UT Austin, Austin, TX
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Valerie TranBureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences, UT Austin, Austin, TX
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Angela LucianoBureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences, UT Austin, Austin, TX
Abstract
The Carbon-nots to the Rescue comic book was designed as supplemental material to help middle school science teachers explain new concepts within revised state educational standards for Texas students, known as Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). This comic book colorfully illustrates the importance of chemistry (e.g., elements and molecules) and outlines how innovative technology in Texas, known as CCS, will help decrease atmospheric greenhouse gases. The comic is currently used to help clarify STEM concepts in both middle schools and high schools and is also useful for general audiences. This comes at a critical time as CCS is accelerating, and as Texas approaches CCS primacy. CCS primacy removes federal oversight and allows a state to regulate and permit Class VI underground injection control wells for carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration under the Safe Drinking Water Act, which will likely grow in the U.S. and increase business investments.
Riveting content in the comic book aligns well with TEKS standards designed for seventh and eighth graders (TEKS S.7.6.A–C; S.8.11.A–C). By utilizing TEKS S.8.11.B, the comic book narrates how greenhouse gases are released from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, oil), solid waste, and trees as well as during various chemical reactions necessary for industrialization (e.g., manufacturing of cement). The comic illustrates how greenhouse gases are absorbed by photosynthetic organisms and how deforestation and urbanization negatively affect the natural balance of the carbon cycle.
Join two Northern Mockingbirds, the state birds of Texas, as they repeatedly share their observations in a Carbon-not adventure with students. See Texas kids and their new feathered friends discuss cutting edge chemical solutions to reduce our carbon output into the atmosphere (e.g., capturing and separating CO2 and injecting CO2 underground permanently). Delve into new vocabulary and explore student creativity through critical thinking questions, a coloring page for all ages, a vocabulary list, and a carbon cycle exercise made for the classroom and science exploration events. It’s time to make this a global phenomenon!
Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 57, No. 6
doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-413959
© Copyright 2025 The Geological Society of America (GSA), all rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to the author(s) of this abstract to reproduce and distribute it freely, for noncommercial purposes. Permission is hereby granted to any individual scientist to download a single copy of this electronic file and reproduce up to 20 paper copies for noncommercial purposes advancing science and education, including classroom use, providing all reproductions include the complete content shown here, including the author information. All other forms of reproduction and/or transmittal are prohibited without written permission from GSA Copyright Permissions.