After catastrophic flooding in New Orleans destroyed two hospitals, the Southeast Louisiana …
After catastrophic flooding in New Orleans destroyed two hospitals, the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System is planning a replacement facility that will incorporate resilience against future extreme events.
Widespread damage from flooding at the Texas Medical Center in Houston revealed …
Widespread damage from flooding at the Texas Medical Center in Houston revealed the complex's vulnerabilities. Implementing a long-term hazard mitigation plan is reducing future risks.
After the Ice: Our Food discusses changes in historic food sources for …
After the Ice: Our Food discusses changes in historic food sources for Arctic Native Americans. Global climate change is altering yearly cycles of both ice coverage and depth in the Bering Sea. Changes in the ice affect the way local native groups hunt in order to feed their community.
This 7-minute video illustrates how the historic homeland for Arctic Native Americans …
This 7-minute video illustrates how the historic homeland for Arctic Native Americans is being affected by climate change. Shorefast ice and pack ice are present for a shorter part of the year. This has profound affects on the way of life in the Bering Sea region, to the point where the community may have to relocate.
This video discusses how the historic way of life for Arctic Native …
This video discusses how the historic way of life for Arctic Native Americans has changed. Global climate change is altering the ice cycle (yearly coverage, depth, and persistence) in the Bering Sea and weather patterns. Changes in the ice affect the way local native groups are able to hunt for food, and maintain their community.
Our human society consists of many intertwined Large Scale Socio-Technical Systems (LSSTS), …
Our human society consists of many intertwined Large Scale Socio-Technical Systems (LSSTS), such as infrastructures, industrial networks, the financial systems etc. Environmental pressures created by these systems on EarthŰŞs carrying capacity are leading to exhaustion of natural resources, loss of habitats and biodiversity, and are causing a resource and climate crisis. To avoid this sustainability crisis, we urgently need to transform our production and consumption patterns. Given that we, as inhabitants of this planet, are part of a complex and integrated global system, where and how should we begin this transformation? And how can we also ensure that our transformation efforts will lead to a sustainable world? LSSTS and the ecosystems that they are embedded in are known to be Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS). According to John Holland CAS are "...a dynamic network of many agents (which may represent cells, species, individuals, firms, nations) acting in parallel, constantly acting and reacting to what the other agents are doing. The control of a CAS tends to be highly dispersed and decentralized. If there is to be any coherent behavior in the system, it will have to to arise from competition and cooperation among the agents themselves. The overall behavior of the system is the result of a huge number of decisions made every moment" by many individual agents. Understanding Complex Adaptive Systems requires tools that themselves are complex to create and understand. Shalizi defines Agent Based Modeling as "An agent is a persistent thing which has some state we find worth representing, and which interacts with other agents, mutually modifying each otherŰŞs states. The components of an agent-based model are a collection of agents and their states, the rules governing the interactions of the agents and the environment within which they live." This course will explore the theory of CAS and their main properties. It will also teach you how to work with Agent Based Models in order to model and understand CAS.
This is the output of Etwinning Project Agents of Change: Young Voices …
This is the output of Etwinning Project Agents of Change: Young Voices for the Environment! The challenge is to integrate environmental education concepts into all aspects of quality education by considering three domains: the environment, education and society. Students will need basic knowledge from the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities to understand the principles of sustainable development. Reorienting the existing learning environments of schools towards eco-friendly schools is the next innovative and relevant step towards enhanced quality education. While young people are among the most vulnerable to climate change, they need not be considered passive or helpless victims. Through education, projects and action, young people can contribute to every aspect of climate change policymaking, mitigation and adaptation. Youth are powerful agents of change. In this project we are aiming to bring together school students from across different European countries (to promote mutual understanding, increase leadership skills, and prepare them to make a difference.
In this seventh grade science Atmosphere and Weather Unit, students will explore …
In this seventh grade science Atmosphere and Weather Unit, students will explore the atmosphere, air and water quality, the water cycle, the greenhouse effect, global warming, climate change, and human-environment interaction through a number of experiments, interactive webquests and projects. They will be exposed to the STEM practices behind growing and agriculture in a hands-on, experiential and experimental life science growing project. They will create terrariums in two-liter soda bottles and will focus on the importance of understanding meteorology and the cycling of water and gasses in and out of the Earth and atmosphere in order to effectively plan, grow and harvest.
This lesson plan engages students in a real-life exploration of climate change …
This lesson plan engages students in a real-life exploration of climate change as it is affected by greenhouse emissions from vehicles. The aim of this activity is for students to realize the impact of vehicle use in their family and to give students the opportunity to brainstorm viable alternatives to this use.
There is a long way before the whole world complies with the …
There is a long way before the whole world complies with the WHO guidelines for air quality, but the enormous burden of disease from outdoor air pollution forces us to increase action to come as far as possible. In continuation of this, we will discuss what we can do about air pollution at global, international, national, city and individual levels. Most of the actions to reduce air pollution also mitigates climate change and/or promote health in other ways – so there are many win-win and win-win-win situations
SYNOPSIS: This lesson introduces the connections between air quality and environmental justice. …
SYNOPSIS: This lesson introduces the connections between air quality and environmental justice.
SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson illustrates how air quality is related to cardiorespiratory health and how environmental injustice exacerbates these issues in marginalized communities. A well-sourced list of resources is provided where students can learn about human respiration, environmental justice, air quality in New Jersey, and what is being done to address environmental injustice by both the state and the New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance. Students are tasked with reviewing these sources and then sharing what they learned in a fishbowl discussion. This lesson is recommended for teaching.
POSITIVES: -This lesson utilizes student choice, active listening, and active participation. -Students are guided through a Fishbowl discussion which facilitates respectful listening and exchanging of opinions.
ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES: -Teachers should feel comfortable offering choice, allowing students independence and autonomy in their learning. This lesson encourages open conversation and monitoring regarding student held discussions. -This resource is helpful for facilitating a Fishbowl discussion. -Students will need access to the Teacher Slideshow in order to conduct their independent work.
DIFFERENTIATION: -Students are able to work at their own pace and order for the playlist activity, but teachers can scaffold certain steps for students who need additional support. -Teachers can create a sample guide for the independent playlist activity. -Teachers can embed the necessary adjustments into the playlist and check boxes for students with special needs or considerations. -Teachers can add a sixth check box that includes a chat with the teacher so that questions and checks for understanding can be incorporated.
SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students learn about particle pollution. SCIENTIST NOTES: This …
SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students learn about particle pollution.
SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson introduces students to gain elementary knowledge about air pollution, its sources, and implications on air quality. It provides critical insights on the impacts it has on low-income communities of Los Angeles. The lesson materials are well-written and cited. Thus, this lesson has passed our science review.
POSITIVES: -This lesson dives deeper into the concept of air pollution and how to monitor air quality. -This lesson involves movement and allows kids to have fun while learning about something serious.
ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES: -You will need to prepare the appropriate materials for The Cilia Game before class begins. -The Cilia Game is quite silly. Be prepared for some laughs as the "cilia" try to defend the "lungs"! -Cilia are tiny hair-like structures in our respiratory system that protect our lungs from foreign matter like particle pollution. -In this lesson we use the term "particle pollution." This is usually referred to as "particulate pollution" or "particulate matter." For the purposes of this lesson, we have decided to use the simpler "particle pollution." -"Air pollution" is kind of a catchall term, referring to things like ozone, particulate matter, and even greenhouse gases. This can be tricky for elementary students to sort out. The purpose of this lesson is for students to better understand particulate matter.
DIFFERENTIATION: -Curious students may want more time to explore the interactive map of air quality. -Students who complete their journal entry early can make their own air quality monitor. -Be sensitive to your students' health situation. Some students with asthma or who know someone with asthma may find it difficult to learn more about this topic.
SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students connect air quality with environmental justice. SCIENTIST …
SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students connect air quality with environmental justice.
SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson introduces the relationship between environment and justice. Students understand if their community is healthy and what to do to create a fair, just, equitable, and sustainable planet for all to thrive. Additional materials are suitable to broaden their understanding on a wide range of topics such as segregation, the connection between climate and justice, racial justice, and social justice. All materials in this lesson are properly cited and are void of scientific contradictions. In this light, this lesson has passed our science credibility process.
POSITIVES: -This lesson allows students to create their own meaning of environmental justice before viewing the explanatory video. -The EPA's Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool is amazing. Students will love it.
ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES: -The video explaining environmental justice might be tough for 3rd-5th graders to understand. Students should understand the core message in the video, even if they might not understand all the details.
DIFFERENTIATION: -Some students may want more time to explore the EPA's Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool. -The reflection journal at the end of the lesson has options for student creativity and imagination.
This storyline was developed as a part of the "Community-Centered Climate Action" …
This storyline was developed as a part of the "Community-Centered Climate Action" Professional Learning Course for 3rd-5th grade teachers. It is provided for inspiration but not intended to fully achieve the 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade science standards it incorporates. The lessons set up teachers and students to use the perimeter of their school to inquire about and monitor air quality as well as learn about emissions and activism in their community.Did you know idling cars during school pickup impacts air quality and the environment? Learn how to use an easy-to-implement action project to motivate and empower your students. Your students will build an understanding of how air pollution impacts their community and the climate and learn what community members are doing about it. They will then work together to map their findings, develop an action plan and share what they have learned.This storyline was created by IslandWood. To learn more about IslandWood, follow this link: https://islandwood.org/
How much of an impact does air travel have on climate change? …
How much of an impact does air travel have on climate change? What can be done about it? Through a hands-on demonstration and a short literature review, students consider the impacts and future of aviation. With data, students consider why climate communicators and scientists focus on carbon dioxide. This guide is an extension of the TILclimate episode "TIL about planes."
This short, time-lapse video shows the changes in the Columbia Glacier from …
This short, time-lapse video shows the changes in the Columbia Glacier from May 12, 2007 to August 20, 2010. Narration provides general description of the geophysical dynamics and processes.
In this video adapted from Storyknife Productions, Alaska Native pilots share how …
In this video adapted from Storyknife Productions, Alaska Native pilots share how they use traditional knowledge to read the landscape and predict the weather.
In this video adapted from KUAC-TV and the Geophysical Institute at the …
In this video adapted from KUAC-TV and the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska Native students contribute to research on how their environment is changing as a result of global warming.
No restrictions on your remixing, redistributing, or making derivative works. Give credit to the author, as required.
Your remixing, redistributing, or making derivatives works comes with some restrictions, including how it is shared.
Your redistributing comes with some restrictions. Do not remix or make derivative works.
Most restrictive license type. Prohibits most uses, sharing, and any changes.
Copyrighted materials, available under Fair Use and the TEACH Act for US-based educators, or other custom arrangements. Go to the resource provider to see their individual restrictions.