Climate and Energy Educational Resource Collection
The CLEAN Collection is a high-quality and rigorously reviewed collection of climate and energy educational resources and lesson plans aligned with the Climate Literacy and Energy Literacy frameworks, and the Next Generation Science Standards. Through peer-review, scientists and educators ensure scientific accuracy, pedagogic effectiveness, and classroom readiness for each resource. With nearly 1000 items in the CLEAN collection, there are multiple ways to find the resources you need. Type in a keyword, or click on the filter options, and off you go!
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Resource Type Show all
Short Demonstration/Experiment
22 matchesGrade Level
Climate Literacy Principles
- Humans can take action 3 matches Humans can take actions to reduce climate change and its impacts.
- Sun is primary energy 4 matches The Sun is the primary source of energy for Earth's climate system
- Climate is complex 9 matches Climate is regulated by complex interactions among components of the Earth system
- Life affects climate; climate affects life 2 matches Life on Earth depends on, is shaped by, and affects climate
- Climate is variable 2 matches Climate varies over space and time through both natural and man-made processes
- Our understanding of climate 5 matches Our understanding of the climate system is improved through observations, theoretical studies, and modeling
- Humans affect climate 6 matches Human activities are impacting the climate system
- Climate change has consequences 8 matches Climate change will have consequences for the Earth system and human lives
Teaching Across the Curriculum
Climate and Energy Topics
- Causes of Climate Change 5 matches Includes natural changes (cyclic variability, volcanic eruptions, solar output) and human-caused changes (due to GHG emissions and land use changes)
- Climate Impacts 6 matches Includes sea level rise; extreme weather; drought; changes to ecosystems, plants and animals; melting ice and permafrost; ocean warming; impacts to water resources, agriculture, public health and national security
- Climate System 15 matches Includes natural processes within the climate system: orbital patterns, solar radiation, oceans, atmosphere, water cycle, the natural greenhouse effect, carbon cycle, regional climates and differences between climate and weather.
- Energy Use 6 matches Sources of energy, usage trends, conservation, policy
- Human Responses to Climate 1 match Includes policy, mitigation, adaptation, risk management, personal responsibility
- Measuring and Modeling Climate 4 matches Instrumental measurements, proxy data, climate model projections
- Nature of Climate Science 1 match Includes the process of science and common misconceptions about climate science
NGSS Performance Expectations
NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas
NGSS Cross-Cutting Concepts
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices
Current Search Limits:
Resource TypeShort Demonstration/Experiment
Results 1 - 10 of 22 matches
This activity includes two experiments that explore shadows and light and how mirrors can demonstrate how light travels.
Reviewed Collection
This resources has passed the CLEAN review process
What makes a gas, a greenhouse gas?
Students act out 4 different molecules (nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapor) to discover which ones are greenhouse gases and which ones are not.Reviewed Collection
This resources has passed the CLEAN review process
Examining Sea Level Rise and Differential Shoreline Response
In this activity, students make and manipulate physical shoreline models to discover the features of resilient shorelines and to critically evaluate the impacts of rising seas. Students will use ...Reviewed Collection
This resources has passed the CLEAN review process
Here students use data from the NOAA carbon dioxide monitoring sites, such as Mauna Loa, to graph the Keeling Curve for themselves on large sheets of paper. Each group graphs one year, and the graphs ...
Reviewed Collection
This resources has passed the CLEAN review process
This model of ocean-atmosphere interaction shows how carbon dioxide gas diffuses into water, causing the water to become more acidic. The video demonstration and instruction provide an explanation of ...
Reviewed Collection
This resources has passed the CLEAN review process
This activity allows students to demonstrate the thermal expansion of water for themselves using water bottles and straws. The discussion allows them to explore the connection between this concept ...
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This resources has passed the CLEAN review process
How Do Long and Short EM Waves Interact with the Earth's Atmosphere?
This is a kinesthetic activity that demonstrates how shortwave radiation emitted by the sun and longwave thermal radiation emitted by the earth interact differently in the atmosphere. It allows ...Reviewed Collection
This resources has passed the CLEAN review process
Temperature, Salinity and Water Density Activity
This is a simple but effective scientific experiment to study the impacts of temperature and salinity on water density.Reviewed Collection
This resources has passed the CLEAN review process
In this interactive activity students will create a very simple climate model. They use worksheets, chips/tokens, and follow rules for heat exchange. The activity only models temperature but there ...
Reviewed Collection
This resources has passed the CLEAN review process
What's Causing Sea-Level Rise? Land Ice Vs. Sea Ice
This activity allows students to explore sea level rise. The experiment allows them to test whether land ice and/or sea ice contribute to sea level rise as they melt.Reviewed Collection
This resources has passed the CLEAN review process