Put It Back

Thank you for finding our “Put-It-Back” initiative at the Gulf Coast Carbon Center (GCCC) and for your interest. As a team of Scientists and Engineers at the State Geological Survey of Texas, known as the Bureau of Economic Geology, we would like to share important information about carbon capture and storage (CCS) with you.

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) in Earth’s atmosphere has significantly increased due to industrial processes. Increasing concentrations of CO₂ gas in Earth’s atmosphere will have long-term negative impacts to our oceans and climate.

One possible response is to capture CO₂ in industrial settings, reinject it into deep geological reservoirs where this CO₂ will be retained permanently. This process is called geological sequestration, carbon capture and storage (CCS), or carbon storage. We must act now!

The following links are useful CCS STEM resources that were created by GCCC Scientists and Texas Science Teachers for distribution during the 2024 & 2025 Conference for the Advancement of Science Teachers (CAST): 

High School–Groundwater Monitoring Lab (CAST25)

This hands-on laboratory experiment connects AP and general chemistry with environmental science through the study of carbon capture and storage (CCS). Students simulate how injected carbon dioxide interacts with underground silicate and carbonate aquifers, observing geochemical changes such as acid-base reactions and mineral dissolution. Lab equipment includes silicate and carbonate rocks, carbon dioxide, and water testing equipment.

Middle School–Carbon Dioxide and Gases (CAST 24)

A collection of hands-on activities reinforces science concepts aligned with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) through investigations of carbon dioxide. Using materials such as dry ice, wire mesh, marbles, and other simple materials, students explore CO₂ properties, the greenhouse effect, the carbon cycle, properties of rocks, and other foundational concepts that connect chemistry to Earth and environmental science. Watch webinar below for a guided lesson.

Middle School Webinar

This webinar covers how to present concepts from Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) including the greenhouse gas effect and carbon cycle, which included real-world CCS applications.

Lesson Plans

This cohesive lesson plan uses common classroom materials to engage students in hands-on activities that explore energy production, greenhouse gases, the carbon cycle, combustion, and CCS. The lessons reinforce key concepts through interactive demonstrations, with optional videos available to supplement selected activities.

Other Helpful Resources

The Gulf Coast Carbon Center (GCCC) is part of the State Geological Survey of Texas, known formally as the Bureau of Economic Geology (Bureau or BEG) and affiliated with the Jackson School of Geosciences (JSG) at The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin). The GCCC conducts studies on geologic storage, retention, and monitoring of CO₂ in the deep surface while also providing public education about CO₂ storage, risks, and mitigation measures. The GCCC not only works along and in the U.S. Gulf, but they also work across the United States, and globally.

The GCCC created the Texas-Louisiana Carbon Management Community (TXLA CMC) to address current needs for accurate and appropriate CCS information for many stakeholders including state and local government officials, diverse interest groups including workers, unions, landowner organizations, community groups, trade groups, environmental and other interest organizations, and residents. TXLA CMC utilizes Texas and Louisiana university networks, and their connections, as valuable communicators to provide CCS information that are both welcome and useful.

The Gulf Coast Carbon Center’s Carbon-not Education & Ambassador Program empowers teachers to build expertise in carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies and helps them create and distribute educational resources for K-12 educators throughout Texas and Louisiana.

Carbon-nots to the Rescue! is a comic book about carbon capture and storage (CCS). Join the Carbon-nots to learn about CCS. This CCS comic book was designed using an 8th grade Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS; see Science 8.11.B). This publication is a great way to describe CCS to all audiences and comes with additional carbon-cycle and critical thinking exercises built for the classroom.

CCS Education

Last updated: December 16, 2025