In this short video, host Dr. Ryan interviews graduate student Amy Steiker at the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research about her research, using isotopes of nitrous oxide, connecting human activity to greenhouse gas emissions.

In this lesson, students investigate whether other parts of the world are changing and getting hotter just like Colorado.

This video segment adapted from NOVA features a variety of scientific perspectives on the age old question, "Are we alone in the universe?" Animations make vivid the improbability that we could intercept a radio wave signaling extra terrestrial intelligence.

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students discover how climate change could be making extreme winter weather worse.

SCIENTIST NOTES: This is a great lesson that explains key drivers of winter storms. Students will learn about the polar vortex and lake effect snow and how they influence the jet stream, air circulation, and polar and mid-latitude climates. The cascading effect is worrisome, especially in vulnerable communities. The class activity will inspire students to communicate ways communities could respond to these weather events. The videos, materials, charts, and datasets embedded in the lesson were fact-checked, and this lesson has passed our science review process.

POSITIVES:
-Connecting climate change and extreme winter weather can feel counterintuitive, which will challenge students' critical thinking skills.
-The lesson provides many opportunities for students to share ideas with their peers.
-This lesson can be taught in an environmental science class.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-Advertisements may play before some of the videos.
-Students should be familiar with climate change, the difference between weather and climate, and the various types of extreme weather.
-Teachers should make it clear that on average, global temperatures are rising even if there is sometimes more extreme cold and snowy weather.
-Teachers should make sure students understand that this lesson is not about if anthropogenic climate change is real. Instead, this lesson is looking at the specific connections between climate change and the polar vortex and lake effect snow.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-For students who may need more support in the Investigate section, classes can create their explanations of the polar vortex and lake effect snow together.
-This lesson could be split over two class periods. In the first class, students would complete the Inquire section and the first half of the Investigate section about the polar vortex. In the second class, students would complete the second half of the Investigate section about lake effect snow and the Inspire section.

This activity engages students in learning about ways to become energy efficient consumers. Students examine how different countries and regions around the world use energy over time, as reflected in night light levels. They then track their own energy use, identify ways to reduce their individual energy consumption, and explore how community choices impact the carbon footprint.

Students will complete this survey that determines their personal and household contributions to atmospheric Carbon dioxide by using information about their previous year's consumption. They will understand that Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas produced by the combustion of fossil fuels, and that its production can be minimized by taking personal steps to conserve.

A lab activity evaluating the hypothesis that Earth's biosphere is currently undergoing a mass extinction, the so-called "sixth extinction." Students practice quantitative skills by calculating extinction percentages and rates in recent history using real-world data from the work of Ceballos et al. (2015). Then, they integrate modern and fossil data to see whether recent extinctions more closely resemble a mass extinction or the background rate of extinction in the fossil record. In the process, students critically examine sources of error and uncertainty and reflect on how to resolve them.

This resource is a video abstract of a research paper created by Research Square on behalf of its authors. It provides a synopsis that's easy to understand, and can be used to introduce the topics it covers to students, researchers, and the general public. The video's transcript is also provided in full, with a portion provided below for preview:

"Deep-sea hydrothermal vent ecosystems host an array of macrofauna, including many invertebrates. These animals adapt to the extreme conditions by forging endosymbiotic relationships with chemoautotrophic bacteria. Phages, viruses that infect prokaryotes, can fundamentally affect endosymbiotic bacteria, but their specific roles in deep-sea vent endosymbionts are not yet known. A recent study utilized metagenomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics to examine the endosymbiotic phages associated with the deep-sea vent snail Gigantopelta aegis. These phages infected methane- and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, and there was evidence of both lysogenic and lytic lifecycles. The genomes also showed evidence of an arms race between bacteria and phages, with the bacteria encoding defense systems like CRISPR–Cas to break down phage DNA and the phages encoding their own anti-defense mechanisms. The phages also had horizontally acquired auxiliary metabolic genes, which could benefit replication..."

The rest of the transcript, along with a link to the research itself, is available on the resource itself.

Ernst Haeckel is a medical doctor, artist, philosopher, and naturalist of the late 1800s/early 1900s who beautifully and accurately depicted sea animal and plant life using color illustrations; you can find many examples of his sketches online through websites such as this one (Kuriositas, January 2012)and in his published works like Art Forms of Nature (1899). He promoted Darwin's theory of natural selection and created many words in the study of biology such as phylogeny and protist. I can see his work being used to inspire student observations, which are the basis of scientific discovery and study and as a supplement within specific units of biology including classification and evolution studies. I can also envision them being used during curriculum development within a professional development setting for teachers or a collaborative project integrating art and science instruction.

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students investigate how artists use their platforms to spread awareness about climate change.

SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson encourages students to think about how artists and their art can be used to teach and inspire others about climate change. Many videos are included in the slideshow. Videos include one of Sarah Lewis, an art historian discussing how one person’s artwork can shift things, and a second one featuring “Earthrise,” a poem by Amanda Gorman, the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history. There are an additional six videos covering artists and their artwork about climate change. This lesson finishes with great reflection questions and an opportunity for class discussion. This would be a great lesson for teaching the effects of art on the public perception of climate change.

POSITIVES:
-Students consider the role of art as a form of climate activism.
-Students are exposed to a variety of artists and types of art addressing climate change.
-This lesson has significant cross-curricular possibilities, even though it focuses on art and artists.
-Students begin to think about ways they might use artwork as a means of taking climate action.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-This is lesson 1 of 3 in our 9th-12th grade Climate Heroes unit.
-This lesson should follow a basic introduction to climate change science, exploration of global and local impacts, and climate change solutions.
-Some prior knowledge of contemporary art practices is useful, but not required.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-Teachers can provide instruction multimodally.
-Teachers can modify the assignment and assessment as needed.
-Teachers can follow up with questions to ensure comprehension.
-Teachers can pair students with helpful peers.

Artists are often particularly keen observers and precise recorders of the physical conditions of the natural world. As a result, paintings can be good resources for learning about ecology. Teachers can use this lesson to examine with students the interrelationship of geography, natural resources, and climate and their effects on daily life. It also addresses the roles students can take in caring for the environment. Students will look at paintings that represent cool temperate, warm temperate, and tropical climates.
In this lesson students will: Identify natural resources found in particular geographic areas; Discuss ways in which climate, natural resources, and geography affect daily life; Apply critical-thinking skills to consider the various choices artists have made in their representations of the natural world; Make personal connections to the theme by discussing ways they can be environmental stewards; Identify natural resources found in particular geographic areas; Discuss ways in which climate, natural resources, and geography affect daily life; Apply critical-thinking skills to consider the various choices artists have made in their representations of the natural world; Make personal connections to the theme by discussing ways they can be environmental stewards.

In this Biodiversity Counts activity, students use their arthropod knowledge to create and play a classroom Jeopardy-style game. The printable five-page PDF handout includes a series of inquiry-based questions to help students identify what they already know about arthropods and step-by-step directions for developing Jeopardy-style quiz questions.

This unit, in which students prepare to observe arthropods in their field site's different microhabitats, helps set the stage for a discussion on the ramifications of habitat loss. It's designed to be completed in four or more sessions and has comprehensive curriculum materials for teachers, including activity tips and an overview of the microhabitats in a temperate forest. The unit is designed to answer the following two target questions. What microhabitats exist at our site? Do different arthropods occur in different microhabitats?

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students evaluate three slogans on climate awareness and advocacy and create their own artistic slogans with four specific types of parallel structure.

SCIENTIST NOTES: The lesson enables students to understand the intrinsic value of slogans in climate and social justice advocacy. Students would also practice how to use artistic slogans to communicate climate change impact to diverse audiences and policymakers in order to inform better decision-making and drive climate action. All materials have been carefully reviewed, and this lesson is recommended for teaching.

POSITIVES:
-This lesson can be used in all levels of English and art classes.
-Art teachers can use this lesson in any unit and incorporate other art components.
-Students are given voice and choice in this lesson as they learn to manipulate language to achieve different outcomes.
-This lesson can be used as an introduction to climate change and overall climate awareness.
-This lesson can be added to a science lesson evaluating evidence for climate change or a communications or business lesson on marketing.
-This lesson can be used to discuss climate justice in social studies.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-Students should have some understanding of basic grammar and parallel structure.
-Students should have an understanding of slogans and their purpose.
-Students should have access to computers or art materials in order to create the final version of their parallel structure slogan.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-Students’ use of language and vocabulary can be simple or complex in order to fit the needs of the class.
-Teachers can simplify the lesson by focusing on only one or two forms of parallel structure.
-Art teachers can have students design two different visual pieces to go with the same slogan, then compare and contrast the effects of the different artistic elements on the overall message.
-Additional scaffolding for AP English classes can include a discussion on the purposes and effects of each specific form of parallel structure as well as an analysis of parallel structures in literature.
-Teachers can connect the parallel structure skills in this lesson to their current reading material or curriculum. For example, students can identify forms of parallel structure in previously assigned class literature or nonfiction readings.
-Teachers can extend this lesson into various writing activities for students to practice expository, analytical, descriptive, or narrative writing with different forms of parallel structure.

This unit explores the various ways information and ideas about climate change are presented through a variety of media. This includes the evaluation of social media posts, research into climate change issues, and an exploration of contemporary art and artists. This was designed and taught in an honors 9th grade English Language Arts Classroom by Dr. Tavia Quaid in response to student interest in climate change and to reinforce key information literacy skills.

This unit explores the various ways information and ideas about climate change are presented through a variety of media. This includes the evaluation of social media posts, research into climate change issues, and an exploration of contemporary art and artists. 

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students investigate the effectiveness of visual art in addressing climate change.

SCIENTIST NOTES: Simply put, not everyone is swayed by a scientific expert. Often it takes other means to convey a message to someone. That is why is an integral part of climate change communication. Art, scientifically, has a different impact on our thoughts and decision-making than hearing a lecture from an expert. This lesson explores different climate change art projects and shows their potential to reach audiences. This lesson has passed the scientific review process.

POSITIVES:
-Students learn that art can be used to address issues that are usually just discussed in scientific terms.
-Students learn about a variety of artists whose work deals with climate change.
-Students can begin to visualize ways that they might make art about climate change, which can serve as a subsequent lesson.
-This lesson is interactive and simulates a real-world situation in the art world, requiring a variety of skills.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-This lesson can be paired with or follow a more in-depth discussion of climate change science.
-Students should know how to use Google Slides or a similar type of presentation format.
-Students should have a basic familiarity with rubrics.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-Teachers can provide instruction multimodally.
-Teachers can preview vocabulary with ESL students.
-Teachers can follow up with questions to ensure comprehension.
-Teachers can pair students with helpful peers.
-It can be beneficial for developing students’ interpersonal skills if groups were randomized.

Students improve their written observations by using their 5 senses and words that are relatable to others. Create statements that are based on observable facts in the natural world.

This article and slide show from the New York Times, features several scientists from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, who study the effects of thawing permafrost in Alaska.

This video segment explores the benefits and pitfalls of cloning as a means of reproduction. From Evolution: "Why Sex?"