Investigating Climate Science in the 7–12 Classroom by Tucker, Laura; Sherwood, Lois;

Short description:

An updated version of the NSTA Press book Understanding Climate Change, this ten-session unit provides background information and instructions for teaching this complex topic. Ideal for middle and high school science teachers, this field-tested unit helps you engage your students in climate change learning and provide them with hope.

Long description:

An updated and enhanced version of the popular NSTA Press book Understanding Climate Change, this practical curriculum allows you to engage your students in understanding one of the most key topics in science education. The ten-session unit provides extensive background information and step-by-step instructions for teaching this topic effectively within your existing curriculum. Each session uses three-dimensional methods to cover a different area of climate science, global warming, and environmental change. The authors include scaffolding suggestions, alignment with Next Generation Science Standards, and guidance on best practices for teaching this complex topic as either a four-week stand-alone unit or within your other chemistry, biology, or environmental science lessons. This update includes interviews with current "climate change agents," sharing stories of their work, career pathways, and what gives them hope for the future. Together the sessions provide a strong foundation for understanding the science behind the greenhouse effect and climate change. It encourages your students to conduct their own scientific research, develop conclusions, discuss ripple effects, and examine solutions leading to actions students can take on their own or as a group. Ideal for middle and high school science teachers both new and veteran, this field-tested unit helps you engage your students in climate change learning while providing them with a hopeful outlook for their future.

"Investigating Climate Science in the 7–12 Classroom is the kind of curriculum we need right now. It is science that empowers rather than overwhelms. As an Ocean Guardian School teacher guiding my 6th graders through my Environmental Stewardship project for over 20 years now, I’ve watched my students connect local environmental restoration projects to global climate systems. This resource strengthens that bridge, centering climate justice, multilingual learners, and the emotional realities of climate grief and hope. It turns abstract data into human stories and gives students authentic agency as changemakers in their communities." 

Al Gonzalez, 6^th Grade STEM Teacher, Chimacum Elementary School, USA.

"As an environmental science teacher in a very conservative state (Wyoming), which funds its schools with coal, oil, and natural gas, it has been a delicate challenge to teach climate change. Tucker and Sherwood's book Investigating Climate Science in the 7-12 Classroom has been a lifesaver!  I love the resources, background information, the Climate Change Agent careers, and data analysis pieces.  My students were engaged and thought critically about climate data, and tools were in place to adapt the curriculum to my age group, region, and student needs.  Lately, I have noticed student apathy and hopelessness about climate change, and I'm looking forward to trying the grief/hope session to enable students to move beyond the 'we're doomed' stage and actively seek solutions to reducing human impact on the climate."

Jenny Edwards, Environmental Science Teacher, Natrona County High School, USA.

"I so appreciate all the ideas and actionable activities that Investigating Climate Science in the 7-12 Classroom: Actionable Curriculum For Tomorrow’s Changemakers offers. In particular two really important pieces are exceptional. I work with preservice teachers and in this work I was desperately looking for ways to bring the “voice” of students to play. Your work does just that. It expands the science around climate and climate change to include those that will help shape the future when we share the kinds of ideas that you have shared. This also leads to the other exceptional feature of this work, that of hope. Any of us working in climate education have been faced with the challenge of finding ways to not have students so discouraged that they don’t see that their actions can truly change the course that we are on. Your work in  Investigating Climate Science In The 7-12 Classroom: Actionable Curriculum For Tomorrow’s Changemakers turns this on its head. THANK YOU so much for these INCREDIBLE ideas!!"

Michael Jabot, SUNY Distinguished Professor, Science Education Director, Institute for Research in Science Teaching, State University of New York at Fredonia, USA.

Table of Contents:

Information for Teaching This Unit  1. Building a Foundation for Studying Climate Change  2. Sources of CO₂ in the Atmosphere  3. The Greenhouse Effect  4. Fact or Phony? Scientifically Evaluating Data  5. Conducting Research on Current Climate Change Topics  6. Climate Change Conference  7. Climate Change Challenges  8. Climate Change Solutions  9. Connecting to Your Community  10. Addressing Grief and Providing Hope  Additional Resources for Teaching Climate Change