Introduction to Climate Resilience: High School

EcoRise

In this comprehensive climate change curricula, students will discuss the likelihood that different groups of people will experience the negative impacts of climate change and the factors that contribute to the degree of danger they might face. They will learn specific vocabulary to discuss these topics, and use a case-study of sea-level rise in Alaska to research strategies that increase community climate resilience. A role-play activity supports an understanding of how climate change affects individuals and groups differently based on social factors such as income, education, cultural background, and age.

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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 each lesson throughout a larger curricula on Earth systems science to extend the activity and allow students to bring a greater understanding to the final two activities. Teachers should read through this unit and the teacher support guide to consider whether individual lessons, activities, or the entire unit will most benefit your students. Consider the concepts and ideas your students are already familiar with and what might be helpful information/activities for them to engage in before teaching this unit. Creating a climate action plan is very challenging in one class period. The activities offered here are useful but may need significant additional time to provide the support students need to engage. Refer to the [link https://cleanet.org/clean/literacy/climate/index.html 'CLEAN Teaching Climate Science background pages'] to help get support and resources for topics that need more depth.
This resource uses videos, worksheets, discussions, and a student-led presentation to help students understand and discuss climate change solutions as they relate to vulnerable populations. The lesson culminates in students working together to develop resilience plans to help address climate change. While the information and data are solid, more support could be provided for the science through outside sources. Several of the videos included in this resource are more than five years old. In a rapidly changing system, teachers may want to supplement with more up-to-date resources. Passed initial science review - expert science review pending.
This resource uses a variety of worksheets, videos, written materials, and discussion-based activities that support a complete understanding of the material. Student worksheets and discussion prompts are provided. This resource provides a comprehensive teacher and student guide with a class presentation and associated teacher notes for each session. The concepts and ideas presented in this activity are quite complex. Consequently, it's difficult to fit everything into the four lessons this unit describes. Some of the methods, such as role-playing specific cultures and demographics that students may not be familiar with could use more support. This resource does an exemplary job of approaching climate change material with sensitivity.