This lesson explores if it is normal that world temperatures are rising at the currently observed fast pace.

In the wake of a hurricane and beset by an economic recession, the University of Texas Medical Branch on Galveston Island rebuilt for future resilience.

During this course, participants will learn how to center investigations of local scientific phenomena in a Next Generation Science Standards storyline. Course educators will offer instructional strategies and climate and community data to help teachers connect to the interests and identities of students and support understanding of the impacts of climate change. In collaboration with fellow teachers, participants will imagine possibilities for this kind of teaching and learning in their own classrooms through brainstorming possible phenomenon-based storylines local to their own students.

In this activity, students explore whether statements made by the news and media on climate change-related issues are actually true. Examples are provided for Antarctic sea ice and hurricane intensity, but the activity could be extended to other topics as well.

Students study line graphs to develop a Seed Planting Guide for the outdoor garden that considers environmental factors and climate conditions for their location. Students then transfer knowledge and skills regarding line graphs as they construct their own line graphs to track individual daily and weekly health behaviors. These graphs are beneficial in interpreting data about the success of, and needed adjustments to, their healthy living plan.

This video segment from 'Earth: The Operators' Manual' explores how we know that today's increased levels of CO2 are caused by humans burning fossil fuels and not by some natural process, such as volcanic out-gassing. Climate scientist Richard Alley provides a detailed step-by-step explanation that examines the physics and chemistry of different "flavors," or isotopes, of carbon in Earth's atmosphere.

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students learn how cultural practices can spread not only ideas and traditions, but also invasive species into new areas.

SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson gives students the go-ahead to explore the underlying cultural practices that could spread invasive species and ways to reduce the spread to maintain a healthy and balanced ecosystem. All materials embedded in the lesson are factual and accurate. That being so, this lesson has passed our science credibility review process and is recommended for teaching.

POSITIVES:
-This lesson features kinesthetic learning as students play Three Steps Forward, One Step Back.
-Students will develop a strong connection to self and community through learning about invasive species in their community.
-This lesson features excellent vocabulary development.
-Students learn through multiple games.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-One-to-one technology or cardstock with art supplies are required for poster creation.
-Students need access to research materials such as the Internet and/or books about invasive species.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-Groups of students with mixed abilities can collaborate on their educational posters.
-Possible Extension: Do a campus tour and have students take notes on species that could be invasive.

Residents of North Slope Borough, Alaska, look to solar-powered ice cellars and other strategies to preserve their traditional whaling lifestyle.

With valuable cultural and dietary assets at risk from sea level rise, this Pacific Northwest Tribe developed a plan to identify community adaptation priorities and concerns, and charted a course of action to address them.

The complexity of modern business requires a climate where virtue flourishes as opposed to venality, careerism and greed. Through theological and religious studies and opportunities for spiritual development, Jesuit business education helps its graduates (regardless of their religious or non-religious tradition) develop an ethical and spiritual inner compass. It directs them toward cooperation with all persons of good will committed to (trans)forming business in a manner consistent with human purpose and dignity. At the same time, the Jesuit trained leader is forewarned of the reality of human imperfections and social distortions evident in business history. The Jesuit perspective shares with the student a commitment to progress in hope. It rejects any utopian model of human or institutional perfection through an understanding that business institutions and economies are created by human beings and must be changed by human beings. As part of their understanding of calling graduates are prepared for self-sacrifice in order to help secure justice for all in every sphere that business touches.

Instructor provides an introduction to the weathering cycle and connection to ocean chemistry. We consider the following question as a group before splitting up for the Jigsaw portion of the exercise:

If we take the chemistry of wollastonite (CaSiO3) to represent continental rocks, what is the chemical equation of weathering with carbonic acid (H2CO3)?

Students conduct research and develop expertise in one aspect of the weathering-CO2 cycle. Each student produces a 1-2 page description of their area of expertise. Students studying the same aspect then meet to deepen understanding and identify and clear up any misconceptions. Groups check in with instructor or teaching assistant.

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John Wesley Powell was one of the great American explorers of the late 19th century. Largely unrecognized today, he was he first non-native American to float down the entire length of the Colorado and was credited with "finding" the Grand Canyon.  As one of the first directors of the US Geological Survey, his recommendations for settling the American Southwest went largely unheeded, leading to the current climate crisis in this parched region.This is an extended reading resource describing the exploration of the Colorado River and Grand Canyon conducted by a party led by John Wesley Powell in 1869. It also contains several comprehension questions, an essay and extended learning options.It also contains hyperlinks which explain the exploration in more detail.

An engaging and informational video describing the history of our knowledge about climate change.

This activity is a set of student-centered exercises that enable students to learn about the individual stories of Goldman environmental prize winners, the activism and organizing that grounds their work, and the underlying political and social contexts from which their struggles emerge. The lesson inspires critical reflection about justice, power, and democracy in green politics, and encourages ways to make personal connections to activism and environmental work.

(Note: this resource was added to OER Commons as part of a batch upload of over 2,200 records. If you notice an issue with the quality of the metadata, please let us know by using the 'report' button and we will flag it for consideration.)

This is a National Geographic short video that briefly describes how succulent plants in the South African Karoo biome are dying off due to changes in climate.

Dense populations of some microscopic algae (phytoplankton) in ocean waters can contaminate seafood, resulting in serious health problems for humans. Satellite data displayed in an online tool help fishermen monitor and avoid these harmful algal blooms.

This activity identifies and explains the benefits of and threats to coral reef systems. Students read tutorials, describe the role of satellites, analyze oceanographic data and identify actions that can be undertaken to reduce or eliminate threats to coral reefs. As a culminating activity, students prepare a public education program.

In this video from Science City, Kerri-Ann Richard, an environmental engineer, describes how she became interested in the field and why it is important to clean up the environment by removing contaminants from soil and ground water.

ZOOM guest Amy wants to be a meteorologist and volunteers at a weather observatory. In this adapted video segment, she shows us instruments used to predict the weather and describes how air pressure affects weather patterns.

The Kindergarten Elementary Framework for Science and Integrated Subjects, Wild Weather, uses severe storms as a phenomena for exploring natural and man-made hazards and staying safe in those conditions.  It is part of Elementary Framework for Science and Integrated Subjects project, a statewide Clime Time collaboration among ESD 123, ESD 105, North Central ESD, and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. Development of the resources is in response to a need for research- based science lessons for elementary teachers that are integrated with English language arts, mathematics and other subjects such as social studies. The template for Elementary Science and Integrated Subjects  can serve as an organized, coherent and research-based roadmap for teachers in the development of their own NGSS aligned science lessons.  Lessons can also be useful for classrooms that have no adopted curriculum as well as to serve as enhancements for  current science curriculum. The EFSIS project brings together grade level teams of teachers to develop lessons or suites of lessons that are 1) pnenomena based, focused on grade level Performance Expectations, and 2) leverage ELA and Mathematics Washington State Learning Standards.