In this lesson, students play a game, participate in communicative activities, and research recipes to explore the role of consumers in supporting climate change resilience in the oceans.

Step 1 - Inquire: Students describe photos and talk about cultural traditions related to eating fish and seafood.

Step 2 - Investigate: Students play an interactive board game to explore the challenges of buying and selling sustainable, climate-resilient fish.

Step 3 - Inspire: Students research and present recipes for a class competition, “La Gran Receta de los Océanos.”

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students conduct research on electric bicycles and electric cars, choose one of these technologies, and create a video promoting its use as a climate solution.

SCIENTIST NOTES: Over the course of their use, electric cars are far more environmentally friendly than conventional automobiles. This lesson examines those benefits as well as how to make cities friendlier to bikes and other commuting options. The external resources in this lesson have passed our scientific review process.

POSITIVES:
-Students must use hard data to promote either electric bicycles or electric cars.
-Students record quick, informative videos as their assessment in this lesson plan.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-Students should have a basic understanding of climate change. They should know that burning fossil fuels creates greenhouse gases and that greenhouse gases are heating up the planet.
-There are fourteen total images in the Inquire section. Feel free to disregard some of them based on your needs.
-Many students assume that electric cars do not create emissions at all. Students will learn:
-There are embedded emissions from the manufacturing of electric cars.
-Electric cars that use electricity generated by fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas) are still creating emissions.
-Your students will need access to devices to record their advertisements. Students can record themselves on iPods, iPads, laptops, or other school devices. Depending on your school's phone policy, you can have your students use their own devices.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-Be sensitive to the socioeconomic situation of your students. Some students' families may not own bicycles or cars or be able to afford electric bicycles or electric cars.
-Creating the advertisement can be done as a homework assignment.
-Students may want to include drawings, puppets, props, or other creative items in their advertisements. Encourage their creative expression!

In this lesson, students compare and contrast emissions from different modes of transportation and explore the concept of transportation planning.

Step 1 - Inquire: Students analyze a bar graph of carbon dioxide emissions by different modes of transportation and calculate the most environmentally conscious modes of travel based on emissions.

Step 2 - Investigate: Students analyze commuter survey results of the top concerns with public transportation and complete real-world math problems based on different transportation scenarios, calculating the difference in carbon emission outputs.

Step 3 - Inspire: Students learn about transportation planners and watch a video about Hong Kong's transit system.

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students compare and contrast emissions from different modes of transportation and explore the concept of transportation planning.

SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson asks students to investigate the amount of carbon emitted by different forms of transportation. The numbers used for the calculations are backed by peer-reviewed science, and the methodologies come from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. This lesson has passed our scientific review process.

POSITIVES:
-This lesson builds upon students' understanding of place in the world and the impact of individual lifestyle choices.
-It features relevant real-world math problems.
-It offers career path integration in the sector of transportation planning and transit.
-Students creatively brainstorm solutions for real-world issues and civil concerns.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-This is lesson 2 of 6 in our 3rd-5th grade Green Transportation unit.
-Students should have knowledge of reading a bar graph and a basic understanding of interpreting data.
-If students do not have background knowledge of their community's public transportation systems, they should be appropriately introduced to the basics of how buses, metros, and railways work.
-The graph in the Inquire section uses the unit CO2e to measure emissions from different modes of transportation. CO2e stands for carbon dioxide equivalent, which is the measure of the impact of all greenhouse gases in terms of the amount of CO2 that would create the same amount of warming. For the purpose of this lesson and the age of the learners, it is probably best to just use the terms “carbon dioxide” and “CO2.”

DIFFERENTIATION:
-There can be number-set choices for math problems available for different abilities and skill sets.
-Students can work in pairs or small groups.

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students explore three different personal perspectives on the effects of climate change, evaluate arguments and reasoning, and advocate for climate change through a personal call to action.

SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson inspires students to take an active role in combating climate change while also teaching them about various climate change impacts. The initial video talks about climate change from three different angles and gives students various ideas of how they could act such as voting, education, and activism. It introduces the idea of environmental racism and justice. The three videos about New Jersey sea level rise are all accurate and informative. This resource is recommended for teaching.

POSITIVES:
-This lesson can be used in English, persuasive writing, and social studies.
-Students are given voice and choice in this lesson.
-Students become agents of change in their own communities.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-Students should be familiar with the basics of climate change and potential effects to their own region.
-Students will be writing a call to action. The goal of a written call to action is to inspire others to perform a specific act with some urgency.
-Students should understand the basics of persuasive argumentation and using personal connections as evidence and reasoning to support an argument.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-Calls to action can be expressed in different platforms. Students can explore adapting their calls to action in different platforms: creating a video, choosing specific social media outlets, and incorporating supporting artwork. Make sure to follow all school rules and monitor students’ progress if you allow this in the classroom.
-You may allow students to brainstorm and pursue other methods of communication not listed.
-Students can evaluate the effectiveness of using different platforms to make their calls to action.
-Students can present their calls to action to different audiences.

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students learn about how climate change is affecting flood risk in New Jersey.

SCIENTIST NOTES: In this lesson, students will learn about the common causes of flooding, how towns and cities can mitigate the effects of flooding, and how climate change is partially impacting flooding. As a note, another way climate change will impact flooding is by increasing the rates of prolonged drought and heavy rainfall. The videos and articles included in this lesson are accurate. The final article touches a lot more on emotions and a teenager’s perspective but includes key facts with references on the side. This resource is recommended for teaching.

POSITIVES:
-This lesson creates a collaborative learning environment for students as they build model houses and test their flood mitigation tactics.
-Students will develop a strong connection to self and community through viewing the impact of increased flooding in New Jersey.
-This lesson allows for creativity, design, engineering, and free thinking.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-Prior to the lesson, the teacher must have:
-Cardboard
-Scissors
-Tape/glue
-Modeling clay
-Sand
-Cement
-Sponges
-Plastic wrap
-Plastic tubs
-Pitchers of water
-These materials can be recycled or donated. Possible substitutions include Play-Doh instead of modeling clay, buckets/cups instead of pitchers, tinfoil instead of plastic wrap, etc. Materials are not set in stone and can be substituted with similar materials as needed.
-You can explain more about the causes of sea level rise prior to the lesson. This video may be helpful to show before teaching this lesson.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-Groups of students with mixed abilities can collaborate on their section of the flood management article.
-Groups of students with mixed abilities can collaborate on their section of the flood management experiment.
-The flood management experiment could be done as a demonstration in front of the whole class if time, ability, or materials are limited. You can use different materials and flood the tub multiple times.

SYNOPSIS: This lesson encourages students to think critically about facts and opinions and how they relate to climate change.

SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson enables students to differentiate credible and non-credible opinions, identify a fact or an opinion in a video, and identify what they believe are the best solutions to addressing climate change. They would also be able to inform others about climate change using facts and opinions they gather for their projects. All materials in the lesson have been rigorously reviewed, and this lesson has passed our credibility review.

POSITIVES:
-Students think critically about facts and opinions before developing their opinions on climate change solutions.
-Students create a project that educates and inspires others using opinions supported by facts.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-Teachers and students should understand that facts can be proven to be true, but often it depends on the context.
-Teachers and students should understand that not all opinions are credible. Respecting people’s opinions is important, but it is necessary for students to understand how to differentiate between credible and non-credible sources.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-This related SubjectToClimate lesson can support students in developing their opinion on the best solution to climate change.
-Teachers can modify the Climate Change Fact or Opinion Activity in the Inquire section by adding or removing statements.
-Students can come up with their own statements and have the rest of the class determine if they are facts or opinions.
-Teachers can opt for a more active Climate Change Fact or Opinion Activity by having students walk to one side of the room to identify a fact and another side to identify an opinion. Another option is to use one gesture for fact and another gesture for opinion.
-Projects can be completed individually, in groups, or as a whole class.
-Teachers may want to divide the lesson into three days, teaching the Inquire, Investigate, and Inspire sections each on separate days.

In this lesson, students use what they have learned about renewable energy to create their own plan to implement green energy in their community.

Step 1 - Inquire: Students watch the short video Can 100% Renewable Energy Power the World? and discuss their opinions regarding the viability of renewable energy completely powering their community.

Step 2 - Investigate: Students draw a map of their community, create a renewable energy plan, and complete calculations to maximize the production of solar, wind, and biomass energy.

Step 3 - Inspire: Students share their plans with the class through a gallery walk and have a final discussion about the viability of using renewable energy to fully power their community.

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students use what they have learned about renewable energy to create their own plan to implement green energy in their community.

SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson stretches students' capability to compute and determine the type of renewable energy plan that is suitable for their community. The lesson would provide them with insights on how renewable energy access is important. They will be able to analyze the land size and energy output required to design specific renewable energy projects that would efficiently power the energy needs in their community. The lesson has passed our science credibility, and there is a high confidence in using it for teaching.

POSITIVES:
-The lesson connects to students’ own communities.
-Students are able to think critically about the viability of renewable energy.
-Students engage with their community to find possible solutions and places for renewable energy.
-Students are introduced to ideas of urban planning and community building.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-This is lesson 5 of 5 in our 6th-8th grade Renewable Energy Algebra unit.
-Students will need access to a device to view Google Maps.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-Students can work in groups instead of individually.
-Teachers can walk the class through creating the map of the community using Google Maps if technology access is an issue or to provide additional support to students if necessary.
-Students can present their projects in small groups instead of doing the gallery walk.
-The final activity where students create something to educate their community can be completed as homework.
-Interdisciplinary connections can be made with Earth science, physical science, and engineering design.

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students learn the five climate zones in New Jersey and interpret facts into a poetic voice from the point of view of nature.

SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson plan gives students an overview of the five climate zones in New Jersey and relates them to tones or poetry. As a note these are not the traditionally Köppen climate zones but rather zones specific to New Jersey. The link provided is accurate and up to date. Additionally, that website has more information if desired. This lesson helps students think about different climates from a more descriptive and imaginative perspective than just statistics, which can help provide a deeper understanding of the different climates. This resource is recommended for teaching.

POSITIVES:
-This lesson can be used in any English class.
-Students are given voice and choice in this lesson.
-Students learn to manipulate voice to achieve different outcomes.
-Students will use descriptive and poetic language.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-It may be best to confirm that all five climate zones have been selected by at least one student. Poems may become repetitive if all climate zones are not selected.
-You can read background information and analysis on “There Will Come Soft Rains” on this website.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-Students’ communication and vocabulary can be as simple or as thorough as you desire.
-Students may use the poem outline at the bottom of the Student Handout if necessary.
-This lesson is easily adaptable to Advanced Placement or Honors level classes through incorporating specific literary and language elements.
-You can require students to add domain-specific vocabulary from the Rutgers website to their poems.

SYNOPSIS: This lesson explores the complexities of food waste and its connection to climate change.

SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson illustrates the concept of food waste and food loss and provides initiatives to reduce food waste. This will not only help in improving food security but is a good alternative to drawdown greenhouse gas emissions from food waste. All materials have been fact-checked, and the lesson is credible for teaching.

POSITIVES:
-This lesson includes a diverse set of perspectives, communities, and solutions.
-Students are able to learn about the complexity of food waste from different contexts.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-Students are likely to have different perspectives and emotions regarding food waste. It can be an overwhelming experience to learn about the severity of this problem. This lesson embeds questions to give students time and space to process these emotions and inequities.
-The Big Waste video contains some statistics from 2012-2013, so some data may be outdated and obsolete.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-Seeing the severity and inequities of food waste might cause feelings of anxiety, sadness, anger, despair, or surprise in some students. It is recommended for teachers to remind them that those feelings are normal and natural. Sharing those feelings with the class can help support students’ social-emotional learning. It is recommended to encourage students to share their honest reactions.
-This exploration and these discussions might naturally lead into the “What can we do about it?” discussion.

This lesson explores the complexities of food waste and its connection to climate change.

Step 1 - Inquire: Students think about food waste and how it may be connected to climate.

Step 2 - Investigate: Students learn about different sources and areas of food waste, how food waste is rooted in inequity, and how food waste contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.

Step 3 - Inspire: Students discuss different solutions and actions being taken to address food waste and reflect on the actions they can take within their own community.

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students explore the role of video games in bringing awareness to climate change and explore the tensions and purposes of video games as they relate to climate change.

SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson challenges students to think about how video games can be utilized to teach others about climate change. Students walk through this lesson by first critically thinking about what makes video games fun and entertaining, followed by reading an article and discussion centered around how gaming can educate people on climate change, and finally options at the end to create their own game about climate change. The lesson includes an op-ed article written by an author who writes about many things including sustainability. This is a great lesson for teaching alternative methods to educating the public about climate change.

POSITIVES:
-This lesson can be used in computer science, environmental science, physics, and engineering classes.
-Students are given voice and choice in this lesson.
-Students connect to an activity many already engage in to rediscover new purposes.
-Teachers have several differentiated options depending on skill, interest, and experience.
-This can be self-directed or teacher-guided and can be drawn out or built upon as the starting point of a larger unit on game design or elements of computer-based game design.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-Students should have a basic understanding of climate change and its different effects.
-Students should have an awareness of basic game design categories.
-Teachers should be clear on which computer programs and platforms the school has access to for coding and game design.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-Depending on various coding or computer skill levels, teachers can adjust for different degrees of difficulty and ability. For an introduction class or for students who have little experience with computers or coding, the Inspire activity can be completed and mapped out on paper.
-Teachers can adjust the Inspire section to target specific computer science or coding skills or to focus on aspects such as design, evaluation, music, visuals, decisions, and rewards.
-Students can work independently or in small groups with varied purposes. For example, the whole class can design a game and together come up with the goal and purpose. Smaller groups can be formed to design different elements of the game.
-Teachers can decide to offer one or both options in the Inspire section. Teachers can also choose to focus only on evaluating current climate change video or mobile games, dividing the class into groups where each group evaluates 2-3 existing games.
-Students can use different programs or learning platforms depending on what different schools have.
-Students can present their findings or games to different audiences.

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students think about their ideal farm and look at case studies from around the world to investigate farmers' responses to the impact of climate change on food production.

SCIENTIST NOTES: With different case studies, this lesson introduces students to the concept of climate-smart agriculture. In this light, they will be able to model innovative techniques to achieve a sustainable food system in their local communities and beyond. All materials have been rigorously fact-checked, and this lesson is recommended for teaching.

POSITIVES:
-Students get to be creative with their designs of a sustainable farm.
-Students learn about sustainable farming and solutions-based thinking for a growing population with limited resources in a changing climate.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-This is lesson 4 of 6 in our 6th-8th grade Climate Change, Food Production, and Food Security unit.
-Students should understand that different regions will respond to climate change differently based on how they experience the impacts of climate change.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-Teachers can assign the Teacher Slideshow and Student Document on Google Classroom and students can submit their work independently.
-Teachers can group students for the guided research questions and assign them level-appropriate resources.
-Teachers can eliminate case study options if the options are overwhelming.
-Teachers can review the Teacher Slideshow as a class and answer the questions as a whole group assignment.

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students learn how to analyze characters in stories, reread Why Is Coco Orange?, and complete a journal entry.

SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson lets students learn about air quality, how to analyze characters in a story, and how to tell a story about the impact of air quality on human health. This lesson has passed the science review process and is recommended for teaching.

POSITIVES:
-This lesson allows students to explore their own personality traits and relate them to the characters in the story.
-This lesson shows students the best ways to support their classmates who have asthma.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-Students should be familiar with the vocabulary in the story. You can use the vocabulary words slideshow with your students to review the words or play games with the words.
-Analyzing the characters in Inside Out is an easy way for students to begin practicing character analysis.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-You can choose to read the book aloud to your students, watch the video read aloud as a class, or have students read the story independently or in groups.
-You could print the vocabulary cards for students who need to refer to them during the read aloud.
-Students could read their journal entries to the class after they have finished. Some students may want to share their own journeys with asthma or how they are supporting friends and family with asthma.
-Students who finish early could conduct more research on ozone and its impact on the respiratory system.

SYNOPSIS: This lesson explores education as a climate change solution and guides students to create their own education project as a means of informing and inspiring positive change.

SCIENTIST NOTES: Education is a key solution to the global climate crisis. This lesson inspires students to understand how education can change peoples' behavior towards reducing their carbon footprint. It also contains activities and videos to build students' capacity to educate and lead in climate conversation and action. This lesson has passed our science credibility process and is recommended for teaching.

POSITIVES:
-Students reflect on their own education and how education can be impactful.
-Students create their own education project to inspire change in their community.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-Project Drawdown connects educating girls and family planning. Education and empowerment of girls and women is a very impactful climate solution.
-The Investigate section activity should be judgment-free.
-The embedded videos in the Investigate section in the Teacher Slideshow have been automatically formatted to play the most important parts of the videos.
-Students should be able to complete their outlines and some research in the lesson plan’s allotted time, but additional time may be needed for students to conduct their education projects.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-Students can write their answers to the education questions in the Inquire section as a "Do Now."
-Teachers can assign a student to use a calculator to find the class percentages during the Investigate section survey questions.
-Teachers can change the wording of the survey questions in the Investigate section to relate best to their specific class.
-Teachers can use a thumbs up or thumbs down system to survey the class and ensure total buy-in.
-Teachers can give students more time to explore beef, food waste, and renewable energy during the activity in the Investigate section.
-Students can turn and talk to discuss learning during the Investigate section videos and readings.
-Education projects can be done in groups, individually, or as a whole class project.

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students reflect on their personal energy use, make a bar graph to analyze data from the class, and create a conservation poster for display.

SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson is suitable to build the capacity of students to understand energy sources and what they can power, to compute and audit their daily energy consumption, to share their energy footprint in group activities, and to raise awareness on energy consumption to a wide audience by creating a conservation poster. This lesson has passed our science review process and is recommended for classroom use.

POSITIVES:
-This lesson includes using a spreadsheet to create a bar graph. This may be the first time students learn this skill.
-Creating a conservation poster is a great way for students to feel empowered to take immediate climate action.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-This is lesson 2 of 6 in our 3rd-5th grade Renewable Energy unit.
-When you are collecting data for the spreadsheets and graphs, some students may respond that they spent 1,440 minutes using energy (which is the total amount of minutes in a day) due to use of electricity for refrigerators or the heating and cooling of their homes. Although true, having multiple data points of 1,440 minutes is not useful. Have them come up with a lower estimate.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-Some students may have difficulty with data entry when adding numbers to their spreadsheet. It may be best to create groups of students so they can check each other's progress to make sure it is correct.
-It may be best to allow students to create conservation posters individually or with a partner.
-Some students may want to create conservation posters using digital tools like Canva or Adobe Spark.

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students advocate for renewable energy in their schools and communities.

SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson introduces students to understand the importance of renewable energy and how they can advocate for energy and climate justice in their community. All materials embedded in the lesson are thoroughly sourced. Accordingly, this lesson is recommended for classroom use.

POSITIVES:
-Students transform into activists in this final lesson in the unit.
-Students are able to engage with community stakeholders outside of the classroom.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-This is lesson 6 of 6 in our 3rd-5th grade Renewable Energy unit.
-It may be difficult to figure out how much renewable energy exists in your community or how much of your local electrical grid is powered by renewable energy. Your students could explore this interactive map from the EPA showing all energy infrastructure and resources.
-If you or your students do not know how to focus your activism, you can advocate for rooftop solar panels on your school if it makes sense.
-Support your students appropriately if they would like to take this project to the next level. Perhaps they could continue their activism before school, at recess, or after school. It may be nice to ask some of your fellow teachers to also support their efforts.
-This lesson plan might lead to the founding of a student activism group!

DIFFERENTIATION:
-There are many options for differentiation in this unit. Students can work individually or in groups as they design their own activism.
-Quieter students may want to write a letter to share their thoughts.
-More extroverted students may want to deliver a speech to a school or community leader or sit down with them for a one-on-one discussion.

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students will examine the 2020 Almeda Fire in Oregon and explore the disproportionate impacts of wildfires.

SCIENTIST NOTES: This engaging lesson helps students comprehend what wildfires are, the climatic factors that could start them and speed up their spread, and the potential losses and harm that they could do to vulnerable and marginalized populations. The wildfire simulator has been evaluated and is suitable for use by students. Additionally, the lesson's videos and other supporting resources have been examined, and this lesson has passed our science credibility process.

POSITIVES:
-This lesson clearly explains the connection between climate change and wildfires.
-This lesson allows students to realize how wildfires disproportionately impact different groups of people. It provides space for students to better understand the concept of climate justice.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-Be sensitive to the needs of your students if they have been personally impacted by wildfire. Depending on the circumstances, this lesson may not be appropriate or may need to be adapted for your class.
-This lesson assumes that students have prerequisite knowledge of climate change, including understanding the basic science behind climate change.
-Each student will need access to a device in order to play with the Wildfire Simulation. If each student does not have a device, students may share devices. If there are no devices for students, teacher can project and play with the Wildfire Simulation on an interactive whiteboard.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-Pay close attention to how student groups are formed in the jigsaw activity during the Investigate section. Students will be jointly constructing meaning from reading different parts of the article. Groups of students with varying reading levels will probably work best, as high-achieving peers can model meaning-making for students at lower reading levels.
-It may be best to steer students toward one or more options in the menu in the Inquire section, depending on their ability and preference for demonstrating their knowledge.
-In the Inquire section, it may not be possible for any or all of your students to create a wildfire emergency supply kit. Gathering and paying for all of those items is expensive. Be sensitive to your students. In some cases, it may be best to remove that option from the menu before sharing it with your students.

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students unpack the complexities of the global food system and climate change.

SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson allows students to explore the impact of climate change on the global food system and why it is important to change food choices that would adversely impact on the climate. They would learn how to use concept maps to ideate high-impact solutions that would address climate change and food insecurity in their community. All materials used in creating the lesson were fact-checked, and this lesson has passed our science credibility process.

POSITIVES:
-Students think critically about the ways climate change and the global food system are intertwined.
-Students collaborate and build on ideas they explored in previous lessons.
-Students explore the relationships and connections in a highly complex system in a scaffolded and supported way.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-This is lesson 6 of 6 in our 6th-8th grade Climate Change, Food Production, and Food Security unit.
-Students will get the most out of this activity if they have completed most of the previous lessons in the Climate Change, Food Production, and Food Security unit.
-Students may need to gather materials, such as paper and markers, for students to create their concept maps.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-Teachers can assign the Teacher Slideshow on Google Classroom and students can submit their work independently.
-Students can create the concept map as a whole class or they can work in small targeted groups.
-Students can create their concept maps independently.