Climate Change Impacts

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Climate Portal

This comprehensive student and teacher guide from the MIT Climate Portal includes an introductory 10 minute podcast about water and climate change impacts, a water cycle class game, independent understanding of local solutions to climate change threats, and a wrap-up discussion. The focus of the materials is on changes to precipitation patterns and the downstream effects, such as how diseases like Malaria are influenced by rainfall and temperature.

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Notes from our reviewers

The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness. Read what our review team had to say about this resource below or learn more about how CLEAN reviews teaching materials.

Consider using parts of this lesson plan where sensible in your own curriculum. For example you may want to use the podcast to introduce disparate impacts of climate change and then use the remaining water cycle lessons in another unit. It may also be helpful to modify the water cycle game to represent a specific area or region (i.e., If you live in an area with levees, dams, lakes, or mountains, consider designating an area to represent these features) so that students can see how changes in the water cycle may effect their personal communities. This lesson introduces multiple concepts and ways for students to engage. If time allows, consider playing the water cycle game multiple times and include a data tracking aspect. That may allow students to think more about the graphs and data present in the activities that follow. This lesson could easily take three class periods. The suggested time required for each activity is given, however these seem like underestimates for certain activities such as the water cycle game.
This lesson includes multiple aspects of scientific investigation including a hands-on game to consider climate impacts on precipitation, interpreting data and graphs to create a plan, and listening to a scientist discuss the issue. It is a very scientifically sound resource. Original datasets are cited throughout the student and teacher guide. Passed initial science review - expert science review pending.
The title of this resource is misleading - this is not an educator guide but rather a fully-realized and complete lesson plan with student materials provided. The resource is also specifically about precipitation changes with climate change, not generically about climate change impacts. This activity includes an engaging class game, auditory component, online research, and group work that will appeal to a variety of learning styles and support scientific inquiry. It allows for students to explore climate issues and create their own plans for action. Overall, the activity flow is well-designed and the lesson should help students avoid grief and overwhelm by focusing on action. Students should have a foundational understanding of the water cycle including how concepts like evaporation, condensation and precipitation relate to temperature.
A complete teacher and student guide is available and well organized in approach. It includes a table of contents and a suggested amount of time for each activity. The lesson is overall straightforward and well-written. The class game is not easily adaptable into online formats, however the podcast and online research tool activity are easily online-adaptable. The class game can be played with any variety of small objects that an instructor may have in the classroom such as checkers, beans, pens, etc. The class game does require enough space to move around, such as a multipurpose room or gym. This lesson does require multiple online sources. Take a look at the sources beforehand and consider how to best enable students to engage with them in your classroom. You'll need a good internet connection and multiple online devices to get the most out of this lesson.