Starting with Sustainability Lesson Set: Energy and Climate
Starting with Sustainability Lesson Set: Energy and Climate
Starting with Sustainability Lesson Set on Energy and Climate is a series of activities for youth to explore the relationship between greenhouse gas emissions and human activities, especially those related to energy use. Increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are causing changes to the global climate. This lesson set includes educator and youth-facing lessons that include a reading and literacy component, investigations, hands-on activities, quotes from STEM professionals, and opportunities for creativity. Supporting supplemental materials include slide decks and worksheets. The materials were inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and draw on content from the Smithsonian Science for Global Goals guide series found at https://ssec.si.edu/global-goals.
Smithsonian Science for Global Goals uses a Discover, Understand, Act framework to guide youth from ideas about real-world problems to actions. The Discover section contextualizes global issues within local communities by encouraging young people to recognize their existing knowledge. In the Understand section, youth gather data on real-world problems through natural and social science research. Finally, youth apply their learning through self-determined actions to help solve problems for their local and global communities.
Full Lesson Slides (Includes Discover, Understand, and Act Activity Slides)
Download the Full Lesson Slides PowerPoint
Standards Connections
Download the Standards Connections PDF
Discover Activity Slides
Download the Discover Activity Slides PowerPoint
GHG Prediction Worksheet
Download the GHG Prediction Worksheet PDF
My Energy Reflection Slides
Download the My Energy Reflection Slides PowerPoint
Climate Data and Art Communication Slides
Download the Climate Data and Art Communication Slides PowerPoint
Understand Activity Slides
Download the Understand Activity Lesson Slides PowerPoint
Earth’s Energy System Game Slides
Download the Earth’s Energy System Game Slides PowerPoint
Greenhouse Gases Model Slides
Download the Greenhouse Gases Model Slides PowerPoint
Climate Change Data Worksheet
Download the Climate Change Data Worksheet PDF
Climate Data by Field Slides
Download the Climate Data by Field Slides PowerPoint
Act Activity Slides
Download the Act Activity Slides PowerPoint
Action Planner Worksheet
Download the Action Planner Worksheet PDF
Energy! Guide
Download the Energy! Guide PDF
Climate Resilience! Guide
Download the Climate Resilience! Guide PDF
Ocean! Guide
Download the Ocean! Guide PDF
Learn more about Smithsonian Science for Global Goals
Visit the Smithsonian Science for Global Goals website
Check out more Starting with Sustainability Lesson Sets
Visit the Starting with Sustainability Lesson Sets Landing Page
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