Every day we are taught about historical events, mathematical and chemical equations, literature, and more, but we never learn how these subjects apply to one of the biggest existential threats our planet is facing: climate change. Teachers have the power to create a generation of people equipped to address this crisis.
A national NPR/Ipsos poll revealed that over 80% of teachers support the idea of students being taught about climate change, but less than half of K-12 teachers actually address climate change in the classroom. We hope that by providing you (teachers) with ideas on how to engage students in the conversation around climate change, you can not only be inspired to create your own groundbreaking lesson plans, but also be an inspiration to your students.
As students, some of the most engaging and informative learning opportunities we have had is when our teachers have reached out to us with various creative and educational experiences related to the environment.
Here is a list of student and teacher opportunities (challenges, conferences, grants, etc.):
- ReNew Our Schools Challenge – a great way to create awareness about environmental issues and make your community stronger and more sustainable through friendly competition.
- Lexus ECO Challenge – a competition for students in grades 6-12 to come up with innovative solutions to issues related to the land, air, water, and climate. The winners receive grants!
- Future City – a competition for middle school students that challenges them creatively and intellectually to create a solution to an issue in a city relating to the environment.
Here is a list of activities that we have found helpful and engaging:
- Watch and discuss a documentary that focuses on climate change and/or the environment.
- Conduct a lab in class that addresses ocean acidification, or another aspect of climate change.
- Assign a reading/article that focuses on climate change.
- Do a class activity focused on sustainability, such as a “Greening the School” assignment where students can actually measure the CO2 impact their project made. Students can use the tools and formulas we have provided in the “Carbon Impact” portion of our site to asses the carbon footprint of an individual building/area or the entire school.
For lesson plans related to climate change click here.