Educators

We recognize the need to support teachers to meet the requirements of newly-revised provincial curriculums on climate change. Developed in partnership with the University of Waterloo’s Interdisciplinary Centre on Climate Change, our first-of-its-kind, Canadian Climate Educators Portal, provides educators with curriculum and grade-targeted exercises, tools and information to engage students in a broad range of climate change educational activities.

FIND CLIMATE RESOURCES

Search for the latest research, reports, and tools to help you inspire your students.

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Summary: A short graphic novel set in the future and intended to explain how the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change does its work.

Teacher Application: To celebrate the IPCC and its achievements: Because IPCC will increase name recognition of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and increase appreciation of the IPCC as the ultimate authority on the science, risks,and solutions. Because IPCC will explain in a simple comic-book style the IPCC’s unassailable method.

Pro: The book communicates the importance of the IPCC  in a way that is engaging and interactive and provides a positive outlook on our future.

Con: Written for older students.

Grade Level

9-12
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DESCRIPTION

Because IPCC is 33 pages of illustrated story set 100 years in the future. Very few people recognize the acronym IPCC so it goes without saying that few people understand how the IPCC works and how rigorously their process establishes what is known about climate change. The story reviews the history of the organization then explains how scientific method, scientific journals, and peer review work and are used in generating the knowledge the IPCC uses in writing its reports. The book then relates how volunteer scientists come to agreement on what it all means, even including stakeholders from both the environmental activist and the fossil fuel industry sides of the issue. The inclusion and consensus of all the governments of the world is explained. Finally the happy outcome of society’s engagement with the issue predicts the saving of the world.

Link to Novel

APPLICATION 

Because IPCC‘s one goal is to fill a particular gap in public knowledge on climate change. Specifically: who has the most credible information and why are they the most credible.Too few people recognize the acronym IPCC.

CURRICULUM

  1. Determine what is credible information on climate change.
  2. Examine ways the history of climate science and what the IPCC represents.
  3. Discuss climate change mitigation and adaptation and explore solutions.

Link to Organization

Summary: Illuminate is an educational simulation game where players explore solutions to the impacts of climate change.

 

Teacher Application: The game provides information on climate change risks, ways to mitigate the impacts of climate change, and how Canadian communities can adapt to the risks.

 

Pro: The game communicates climate science in a way that is engaging and interactive.

Con: Existing knowledge about climate change education is beneficial for players in successfully completing the game.

Grade Level

4-12
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DESCRIPTION

Illuminate teaches players about climate change impacts and solutions in Canada. The game is designed for classroom settings to supplement guided lessons, and for remote learning independently or with families at home. In Illuminate, players must complete two missions to finish the game. In mission 1, players explore ways to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and prevent global temperatures from rising to dangerous levels. In mission 2, players visit three types of Canadian communities where they are asked to help prepare communities for the impacts of climate change. Illuminate was developed by the University of Waterloo’s Interdisciplinary Centre on Climate Change (IC3) in partnership with the Games Institute.

 

Link to Organization

APPLICATION 


Illuminate is a simulation game that explores climate change solutions. Mitigation strategies are presented to the player to learn about ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Community scenarios teach players about the impacts of climate change in coastal, rural and urban communities in Canada. Climate action is encouraged throughout the game to find solutions that prevent and protect communities from climate risks.

 

CURRICULUM

 

  1. Determine the best strategies for communities to effectively adapt to climate risks
  2. Examine ways to mitigate climate change and prevent global temperatures from rising to dangerous levels
  3. Discuss climate change mitigation and adaptation and explore solutions

 

Link to Organization

 

Summary: A comprehensive overview of the solutions to climate change.

Teacher Application: Innovations across all sectors including stories of application to engage students.

Pro: Focus on wide-ranging solutions.

Con: Not student-focused

Grade Level

8-12
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DESCRIPTION

Project Drawdown® seeks to help the world reach “Drawdown”— the future point in time when levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere stop climbing and start to steadily decline. It is a leading resource for information and insight about climate solutions and continues to develop that resource by conducting rigorous review and assessment of climate solutions, creating compelling and human communication across mediums, and partnering with efforts to accelerate climate solutions globally.

Link to organization

 

APPLICATION

Drawdown Learn is a broad initiative to encourage education and learning about climate solutions based on Project Drawdown’s research, analysis, and insight. Solutions Journalism Network: has teaching resources to engage students in creative and critical thinking about solutions to the climate crisis. Drawdown Eco-challenge is a 21 day engagement program to help students learn about climate solutions and contribute to reversing global warming through individual and team actions.

CURRICULUM

1. Discuss broad mitigation strategies
2. Identify climate tech innovations
3. Construct adaptation strategies: modifying the environment

Link to organization

Summary: A comprehensive website introducing teachers and students to sustainable international development.

Teacher Application: Many free, simple and accessible resources such as eBooks, games and stories to engage students.

Pro: Resources are free and are available in many languages.

Con: Content is not climate specific.

Grade Level

4-12
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DESCRIPTION

The Sustainable Development Goals consist of 17 goals that guide countries towards prosperity. The SDGs recognise the importance of promoting sustainable economic development while also reducing poverty, hunger, inequality and environmental degradation. The SDG website contains a lot of resources for both teachers and students to learn about sustainable development. These resources include the SDG book club, the SDG media zone as well as many games and activities that can be used in the classroom.

Link to organization

 

APPLICATION

1. Go Goals is a board game that teaches students about sustainable development. The game is free, the board can be printed and it can be played with cut-out dice.
2. Elyx is a character in a free e-book which uses a playful narrative to explain each of the sustainable development goals. The book was created by French artist, Yak with the specific goal of not depicting any race, gender or nationality.
3. 170 actions to transform our world is an ebook which shows specific actions we can take to get us closer to each of the sustainable development goals.

 

CURRICULUM

1. Evaluate the effectiveness of UN Sustainable Development Goals
2. Compare developed and developing countries in terms of the climate change impacts they face

Link to organization

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Summary: The go-to resources for detailed information on the science of climate change and the three working groups (physical science basis, vulnerability and adaptation, mitigation).

Teacher Application: Provides a robust overview of climate change science, mitigation, vulnerability and adaptation.

Pro: Detailed, accurate and current information on climate.

Con: The reports can be dense and difficult to digest, but there are shortened summaries accompanying most reports

Grade Level

9-12
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DESCRIPTION

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is the United Nations body responsible for reporting on the scientific basis for climate change. The website contains information on the reports, working groups and related activities. Each of the reports contains a lot of information but also contains a shorter summarized version with all the crucial information related to the report.

Link to organization

 

APPLICATION

1. The IPCC reports provide lots of general but detailed information on climate change and is one of the best resources for staying at the cutting edge of climate change research.
2. The website also provides information on how researchers, specialists and scientists come together to write the reports.

 

CURRICULUM

1. Evaluate the effectiveness of Government Initiatives that address Climate Change
2. Analyze the effectiveness of Government Initiatives that address Climate Change
3. Determine the Roles of Intergovernmental Organizations and their Agreements

Link to organization

Summary: The UNFCCC provides a historical overview of how key international agreements such as the Paris Agreement, The Kyoto Protocol and the UNFCCC adopted, implemented and ratified.

Teacher Application: Provides summaries of the various commitments mandated in these agreements, as well as any recent amendments.

Pro: A good opportunity to demonstrate the relevance and importance of international governance, law and negotiations.

Pro: Lots of detailed and accurate information about international climate change governance.

Con: Materials are not the most engaging and likely only suitable for older students.

Grade Level

8-12
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DESCRIPTION

The UNFCCC website provides information on the inner-workings of international climate change governance. It describes the history, context, adoption, implementation and ratification of international climate change agreements such as the Convention, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement. It shares news and stories of how different regions around the world are making progress toward their climate change goals and also describes the bodies and institutions embedded in the architecture of international climate change governance.
Copies of the formal agreements are available on the website in all working languages of the UN.

Link to organization

 

APPLICATION

1. Climate Neutral Now is a UN initiative to encourage everyone from large organizations to individuals to commit to becoming climate neutral by mid-century. This is done through the three-step method of measuring GHGs; reducing them as much as possible; then compensating those which cannot be avoided.
2. Negotiation Simulations can be done in class as a forum to discuss and debate the contents of international climate change agreements. This can also be done in the format of a Model UN club.

 

CURRICULUM

1. Evaluate the effectiveness of Government Initiatives that address Climate Change
2. Determine the roles of Intergovernmental Organizations and their Agreements
3. Analyze Canada’s response to climate change.

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Summary: NAAEE focuses on promoting professional development, bringing people together and championing environmental education at all levels.

Teacher Application: NAAEE is a leader in environmental education professional development. Hone your skills by working through their certification program or attend a conference!

Pro: NAAEE will inspire you to push yourself as an educator and refresh your skills.

Con: NAAEE offers many opportunities and engagements in the field of environmental education. There’s lots of content on their website – take your time exploring each opportunity.

Grade Level

9-12
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DESCRIPTION

NAAEE promotes excellence in environmental education throughout North America and the world.
Their mission is to accelerate environmental literacy and civic engagement through the power of environmental education.

Link to organization

 

APPLICATION

1. Driving Excellence: NAAEE is driving excellence in the field of environmental education (EE). Explore their certification programs, environmental literacy framework and guidelines for best practice in EE.
2. Cultivating Collective Impact: From an annual international conference to online forums, regional gatherings, and other opportunities for learning, sharing, and promoting best practices. NAAEE is
always looking for more ways to bring people together.
3. Mobilizing Support: If you’re interested in the policy side of Environmental education and literacy – check our NAAEE’s tools, initiatives and plans.

 

CURRICULUM

1. Determine how to communicate climate change most effectively

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Summary: Inside Education offers a full suite of resources devoted to learning about our environmental and natural resources and how they link to the economy and our society.

Teacher Application: Resources link primarily to Canada’s natural resources and energy production.

Pro: Inside Education will connect you with great experiential opportunities.

Con: Portal requires a better search function. Be prepared to sift through their learning resources to find specifically what you’re looking for.

Grade Level

k-12
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DESCRIPTION

Inside Education’s mission is to support teachers and inspire students to better understand the science, technology, and issues related to our environment and natural resources. Inside Education’s full suite of programs and learning materials incorporate climate change into environment and natural resource education in creative and meaningful ways.

Link to organization

 

APPLICATION

1. Climate Change Education Project: Inside Education launched a full suite of resources devoted specifically to climate change education. Check out the student programs, youth summits and learning resources.
2. Renewable Energy and Climate Change Teacher PD Program: Learn more about the shift in natural resource production and what it means for our environment, economy, and society. This program will examine key topics including energy efficiency and climate change with an emphasis on the classroom connections that will inspire students to engage in their energy future. Runs in August in Calgary, Alberta.

 

CURRICULUM

1. Evaluate renewable and non-renewable energy resources
2. Assess the impact of different practices to mitigate climate change

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Summary: Frustrated with models that stop at changing light bulbs and driving smart cars? Climate Justice provides you with 8 modules to support you in teaching your students about climate change and social justice.

Teacher Application: Curriculum linked, interactive lessons ready to go for your use!

Pro: Fairness, equity and justice – these 8 modules will inspire your students to look at complex issues in addition to climate science.

Con: Specifically tailored to BC curriculum, but can be tailored to fit your provincial expectations. No assessment included.

Grade Level

8-12
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DESCRIPTION

The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and the BC Teachers’ Federation have teamed up to create free classroom-ready materials that help students engage with two great issues of our time: climate change and rising inequality. Climate justice looks at how we can re-imagine the systems around us to make a better life for everyone.

Link to organization

 

APPLICATION

1. 8 Modules: Consisting of eight modules designed for students in grades 8 to 12, the package explores climate justice within the context of BC’s communities, history, economy and ecology. Check it out!
2. Additional Resources: Climate Justice highlights additional resources at the end of each module that will challenge and inspire your learners.

 

CURRICULUM

1. Determine the social, ethics and environmental implications of climate change
2. Construct ethical solutions to climate change
3. Analyze the availability of resources and the changing needs of humans and our growing population

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Summary: Climate Change data is now widely available thanks to this digital portal; ClimateData.ca enables students to visualize and analyze data themselves.

Teacher Application: Climate change data can be found at your fingertips. Help students hone their analytical skills and draw conclusions based on real up-to-date information.

Pro: Easy to navigate; ClimateData.ca gives the ability to download entire datasets at the click of a button.

Con: Would like to see a little more ‘student-friendly’ information on the climate models used to generate this information.

Grade Level

9-12
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DESCRIPTION

ClimateData.ca is a climate information portal that enables Canadians to access, visualize, and analyze climate data, and provides related information and tools to support adaptation planning and decision-making.

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APPLICATION

1. Location: Get summary information about how climate change is affecting areas you care about so you can see how climate change is impacting local areas of interest. Analyze annual values which include temperature, precipitation and frost days for the city of your choice.
2. Multiple variables are available at national scales: Explore all available data through high resolution maps and graphs. Select an emission scenario and analyze how a specific variable can change over a time period.
3. Case Studies: Investigate case studies related to health, emergency measures, health infrastructure and public health. A sectoral analysis can help your students understand the cascading effect of climate change impacts.

 

CURRICULUM

1. Explore the benefits of spatial technology and climate change models
2. Construct adaptation strategies based on quantitative information
3. Examine climate change threats to public health and food security
4. Identify sources of scientific data for evidence of natural climate change and climate change influenced by human activity.

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Learning for a Sustainable Future

Summary: Learning for a Sustainable Future (LSF) is an impressive charity established to integrate sustainability education into Canada’s education system.

Teacher Application: LSF works to engage educators in multiple ways: professional development workshops, a radio series, online modules, access to research, pedagogical resources and an Education for Sustainable Development Resource database.

Pro: K-12 curriculum matched resources can be searched by jurisdiction, grade, subject, theme, resource type or keyword.

Con: May take time to sift through the wide variety of resources.

Grade Level

k-12
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DESCRIPTION

Learning for a Sustainable Future (LSF) is a non-profit Canadian charity and organization established to integrate sustainability education into Canada’s education system. Their mission is to promote, through education, the knowledge, skills, values, perspectives, and practices essential to a sustainable future. Their focus is on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). LSF works with a variety of stakeholders to integrate the concepts and principles of sustainable development into education policy, school curricula, teacher education and lifelong learning across Canada.

Link to organization

 

APPLICATION

1. Resources for Rethinking (R4R): LSF’s resource database, R4R, is impressive and bilingual. It’s a free online database where anyone can search for high quality, peer reviewed, curriculum – matched teaching resources. Their library of resources extends way beyond climate change.
2. Climate Changes Resources for Teachers: LSF also creates their own resources and lesson plans in house. In 2018 they created their own climate change resource report which vetted a significant number of climate change education resources.
3. Our Canada Project: LSF released Our Canada Project, an initiative where students can post about the environmental actions they are taking across Canada on an interactive map. They also have a grant program established called Eco League; linking education to action.

 

CURRICULUM

1. Assess the impact of different practices to mitigate climate change
2. Identify the indicators of climate change and their impacts on various regions

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Summary: Let’s Talk Energy aims to further energy and climate change literacy among people in Canada.

Teacher Application: Let’s Talk Energy provides resources to introduce students to the main features of climate change and its effects on the environment, exploring problems such as melting permafrost and ocean acidification.

Pro: Clear and concise climate change infographics, games and lesson plans perfect to engage any type of learner.

Con: Activities not linked explicitly to provincial curriculum expectations.

Grade Level

6-12
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DESCRIPTION

The Let’s Talk Energy initiative invites all people in Canada to explore energy systems, and to reflect on the relationship between energy, the economy and the environment. Let’s Talk Energy also seeks to connect people in Canada with the realities of our changing climate. They do this through exhibitions, school programs and kits, lesson plans and infographics, social media programming, virtual tools and outreach at events.

Link to organization

 

APPLICATION

1. Climate 101: From Climate Science to the Pan-Canadian Framework – get informed using the Climate 101 portal. Clear and concise information paired with helpful infographics will help you develop your understanding of key issues.
2. Climate Time Machine Climate Change Adaptation Lesson Plans and Infographics (To What Degree?): For grades 6 to 9 for classes in a variety of disciplines. This lesson plan encourages students to think about climate change adaptation and mitigation through a variety of activities that you can choose from. From simpler activities like a value line, to a major final project where students create their own exhibit on climate change.
This shows the change in climate over time in various places around the world.
3. Games: Let’s talk energy has vetted numerous games to help you engage your students. Use one of the games as a hook at the beginning of a lesson!

 

CURRICULUM

1. Define climate change
2. Describe the greenhouse effect and its contribution to climate change.
3. Identify climate tech innovations.

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Description: EcoSchools delivers an award winning certification program and has created educational resources to empower individuals to be responsible citizens.

Teacher Application: Check out the EcoSchools Campaign Kits! Here you’ll find quick ideas to engage and mobilize your student population.

Pro: EcoSchools takes climate change further than Science class and provides the resources to support teachers in exploring the social, ethical and environmental implications of the issue.

Con: Currently (2019) resources are geared towards the Ontario curriculum. EcoSchool is working on expanding nation wide.

Grade Level

k-12
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DESCRIPTION

EcoSchools Canada works to nurture environmental leaders, reduce the ecological impact of schools, and build sustainable school communities. EcoSchools have built the largest bilingual, voluntary environmental certification program for K-12 schools in Canada. This program is known to empower members of a school community with the knowledge, skills, and desire to act as environmentally responsible citizens. In addition to school certification, EcoSchools delivers workshops for teachers, hosts an annual conference, develops educational resources, and provide fundraising opportunities to schools and school boards.

Link to organization

 

APPLICATION

1. Become EcoSchool Certified: Build student leadership through hands-on actions and campaigns as part of the certification process. When you engage in this process, you’ll gain access to exclusive contests and grants
2. School Resources: EcoSchools generates their own lesson plans linked explicitly to Provincial curriculum. High quality climate change lessons are organized by grade.
3. Campaign Kits: Whether it be Earth Week or Climate Change Leadership – EcoSchools has a toolkit for you to explore. Save time planning and investigate these campaigns.

 

CURRICULUM

1. Determine the effect climate change has on the diversity of living things.
2. Describe the impacts of climate change on tourist destinations.
3. Analyze Canada’s Response to Climate Change.

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Green Learning

Summary: GreenLearning provides objective and balanced education resources to support teachers in creating learning experiences that are solution focused and action oriented.

Teacher Application: Review your course curriculum and search by grade and subject to determine which GreenLearning program meets your needs

Pro: Curriculum objectives are tagged to each GreenLearning program ensuring you meet provincial expectations (and cut down on planning time).

Con: Content only available in English

Grade Level

3-12
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DESCRIPTION

GreenLearning creates free and accessible online education programs about energy, climate change and the green economy that engage and empower students to create positive change for our evolving world. All GreenLearing lessons are piloted with teachers and school boards and revised based on their feedback before they are made available.

Link to organization

 

APPLICATION

1. Ready Made Programs: Search by grade or subject and gain access to numerous programs linked directly to Canadian provincial curriculum. A support tech or workshop leader is available to help you integrate GreenLearning programs into your classroom or school community.
2. Spiral Inquiry Model: GreenLearning uses a model that encouraged open ended and student-centred investigation. Download a free poster and try this method in your classroom!
3. 2.0: GreenLearning launched a resource database that contains hundreds of climate change resources selected by teachers and educators. You can search for resources – view the most recent resources – add resources to your COOL classroom AND add your own resource to the database.

 

CURRICULUM

1. Evaluate Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy Resources
2. Determine methods to reduce energy consumption
3. Discuss broad mitigation strategies

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Climate Atlas of Canada

Summary: The Climate Atlas of Canada combines climate science, mapping and storytelling to bring the global issue of climate change closer to home for Canadians.

Teacher Application: Access to up to date scientific data providing evidence of natural climate change and climate change influenced by human activity. An excellent analysis opportunity.

Pro: The Atlas is one of the only tools in the world that integrates interactive web design with climatology, cinema, and cartography to connect scientific data with personal experience in compelling and easy-to-use ways.

Con: You will have to spend time reading the Climate Atlas Guidebook – this will ensure you understand the basics of the atlas and how to get the most out of the climate data

Grade Level

9-12
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DESCRIPTION

The Climate Atlas of Canada was created by the Prairie Climate Centre at the University of Winnipeg. This innovative tool allows users to visualize and interact with up to date climate data and investigate human stories about climate change and action. The Atlas explains what climate change is, how it affects Canada and what these changes mean in our communities. Documentary videos, collaboratively developed with local and Indigenous knowledge holders as well as other experts, help make local sense of the global issue of climate change.

Link to organization

 

APPLICATION

1. Updated, latest generation climate data: teachers and students can explore and download local and regional data. A great opportunity to analyze graphs, isolate variables and make informed predictions. Check out the interactive climate change map.
2. Climate Change and Canada’s Cities: Climate Atlas provides a series of reports and videos summarizing projected climate changes for Canada’s major cities and approaches that can be used today to take meaningful action
3. Explore Climate Change topics: Provide students with articles and videos highlighting climate science, cities, agriculture, forest, climate change action and Indigenous Knowledge

 

CURRICULUM

1. Determine the possible effects of climate change on a specific region(s)
2. Examine climate change impacts on selected regions and their cascading effects (spread of non-native species, disease, food production, shifting ecozones, migration) over time.

Link to organization

Summary: A comprehensive inventory of free courses about climate change and other environmental issues.
An interactive and thorough introduction that could complement an existing lesson plan or extra-curricular learning.

Teacher Application: Catalogue of free courses goes far beyond just environmental topics.
Courses differentiated by three levels.

Pro: Courses are downloadable in various formats.

Con: Materials not available in French.

Grade Level

8-12
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DESCRIPTION

The Open University is an online higher education institution in the UK. It is a highly respected institution that aims to make education more accessible to people all over the world. Even though it awards degrees it also provides many free course offerings across disciplines. The nature and environment catalogue has a very comprehensive introduction to climate change and other related environmental issues

Link to organization

 

APPLICATION

1. Many course outlines and lesson plans downloadable in PDF format.
2. Statement of participation on completion of courses.
3. Lots of videos and other interactive multimedia.

CURRICULUM

1. Describe the greenhouse effect and its contribution to climate change
2. Identify the naturally occurring gases in the atmosphere and how they change over time
3. Describe the natural phenomena and human activities known to affect the global climate
4. Identify and describe a carbon sink

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Summary: TED-Ed provides everything you need to spark and celebrate your student’s ideas.

Teacher Application: Create customized lessons with TED-Ed animations, TED talks, Student Talks programs

Pro: Site is easily searchable for climate content.

Con: Site is easily searchable for climate content.

Grade Level

8-12
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DESCRIPTION

Browse hundreds of TED-Ed Animations and TED Talks – designed to spark the curiosity of your learners. You’ll also find thousands of other video-based lessons organized by the subjects you teach.

Link to organization

 

APPLICATION

1. TED-Ed videos on a wide range of climate topics, including both expertTED talks, and animation based videos.
2. Environmental Science Lesson plans.
3. TED Student Talks Program can be used as a tool for climate change communication

 

CURRICULUM

1. Define Climate Change
2. Evaluate a variety of climate change media

Link to organization

Summary: Newsela provides fresh adaptive reading on every subject for a range of reading levels. NASA Global Climate change is a scientific and research organization which provides interactive and educational resources on climate change.

Teacher Application: Climate reading text sets with classroom activities for 5 reading levels.

Pro: Free teacher sign-up for customizable articles, assignments, quizzes, and writing prompts for students at 5 reading levels.

Con: Newsela Pro with additional add-ons requires purchase.

Grade Level

2-12
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DESCRIPTION

Newsela solves the problem of reading engagement holistically for students, teachers and principals by providing fresh, adaptive reading material for every subject – including climate change – and available for a range of reading levels. Content including quizzes, reading annotations and writing prompts to assess student reading, engagement and comprehension.

Link to organization

 

APPLICATION

1. Writing Prompts to engage students on climate specific writing projects (among other available topics).
2. Power Words help students learn new words by encountering them in context while they read.

 

CURRICULUM

1. Identify and analyze multiple perspectives on global warming and climate change
2. Identify how to communicate climate change most effectively
3. Describe a variety of climate change media

Link to organization

Google Earth Education

Summary: Easy guides and tutorials on Google’s Geo Tools, inspirational global stories, lesson plans and more.

Teacher Application: Use Google Earth technologies for an interactive and hands-on teaching tool that shows the global impacts of climate change through exploration.

Pro: Innovative interactive teaching tools.

Con: Large amount of content makes finding climate-specific content difficult.

Grade Level

1-12
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DESCRIPTION

Google Earth and other Geo Tools can help develop creative, interactive approaches to enriching geospatial knowledge in the classroom. Through exploration, storytelling and cartography, students can develop critical thinking, data visualization skills and a global perspective on topics including climate change.

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APPLICATION

1. Earth Engine time lapses historic satellite imagery and scientific datasets so students can explore climate topics such as changing forest cover over time.
2. Science Journal for Teachers has activities and experiments students can do in the classroom and outside using their mobile devices.
3. Virtual and Augmented Reality bring learning to life in a range of “expeditions” and “virtual field trips”.

 

CURRICULUM

1. Identify the sources of scientific data for evidence of natural climate change and climate change influenced by human activity
2. Identify the indicators of climate change and their impacts on varying communities, regions, etc.
3. Construct adaptation strategies: modifying the environment
4. Identify future geopolitical Issues that may arise due to climate change

Link to organization

Summary: A source for detailed climate change content including science, emissions, impacts, solutions with curated classroom resources for grades 5-12.

Teacher Application: Climate-friendly schools resources help teach climate change in the classroom.

Pro: Curated activity sheets, handouts, lesson plans, learning guides, and video content.

Grade Level

5-12
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DESCRIPTION

While Climate Change Connection aims to connect Manitobans to climate change facts and solutions, this resource also provides detailed content applicable for Canadian and global audiences.  Providing answers to climate science questions, emissions, wide-ranging social economic and environmental impacts, and personal to international solutions, this site is comprehensive and easy to navigate. The “Connections” section provides additional opportunities to get engaged for Manitobans, while the Resources section has content applicable to both teachers and students.

Link to organization

 

APPLICATION

1. “Cool Apps” has a range of apps on climate science, impacts and actions that could provide a way to extend climate lessons beyond the classroom.
2. Project Funding list of sources to help students, teachers, classrooms and schools can finance environmental projects – while aimed at Manitoba schools, many grants listed are Canada wide.
3. In-class Activities, handouts and learning guides with unique and interesting ties to climate change e.g. the impact of fashion.

 

CURRICULUM

1. Describe the natural phenomena and human activities known to affect the global climate
2. Examine the climate change impacts on selected regions and the cascading effects (spread of non-native species, disease, food production, shifting ecozones, migration) over time.
3. Discuss broad mitigation strategies
4. Construct adaptation strategies

Link to organization

Summary: Provider of free online educational programs on energy, climate change and sustainability.

App for teachers: Downloadable lesson plans including presentations and notes for teachers.

Pro: Lesson plans available for basic (4-6 years), intermediate (7-9 years) and advanced (10-12 years) levels.

Disadvantage: In-person teacher training only available in Alberta.

Grade Level

4-12
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DESCRIPTION

PEEL s’efforce de doter les éducateurs d’aujourd’hui des sciences, des outils pédagogiques et du soutien dont ils ont besoin pour s’assurer que les élèves maîtrisent les sciences du climat, de l’énergie et de la durabilité. PEEL propose des ateliers gratuits pour les enseignants des écoles de l’Alberta, ainsi que des plans de cours pour tous les niveaux scolaires et des contenus provenant de sources du monde entier.

Link to organization

DEMANDE

1. Des plans de cours adaptés aux niveaux 4-6, 7-9 et 10-12 sur 12 sujets relatifs au climat et à l’environnement, en accord avec le programme scolaire de l’Alberta. (Voir notre page sur les programmes scolaires pour savoir comment cela se traduit dans les autres provinces).
2. Ateliers d’éducation climatique proposés par PEEL dans le cadre de sessions de formation en milieu scolaire, d’événements de formation des éducateurs publics et d’ateliers ouverts, avec un soutien de suivi.

CURRICULUM

1. Décrire l’effet de serre et sa contribution au changement climatique
2. Décrire les phénomènes naturels et les activités humaines dont on sait qu’ils affectent le climat mondial
3. Évaluer les ressources énergétiques renouvelables et non renouvelables
4. Discuter des grandes stratégies d’atténuation

Link to organization

Summary: Dr. Diane Saxe former Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, offers strategic advice on climate, energy and business.

Teacher Application: Plain language Canadian climate policy reports with summaries and webinars.

Pro: Plain language climate, energy and environment reports

Grade Level

9-12
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DESCRIPTION

Dr. Diane Saxe, former Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, guardian of the Legislature of Ontario’s Environmental Bill of Rights, and one of Canada’s most respected environmental lawyers provides plain language interpretation of Canadian and Ontario climate, energy and environmental policy through reports, summaries, webinars, video presentations and blog posts.

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APPLICATION

1. Ontario Legislature Reports on energy, environment and climate issues prepared in plain language specifically for the public interest. Each report comes with a summary, press release, video and webinar.
2. Video Presentation and Blog posts answering common questions surrounding current environment and climate issues, and climate action.

 

CURRICULUM

1. Analyze Canada’s Response to Climate Change
2. Evaluate the effectiveness of Government initiatives that address climate change
3. Assess the impact of different practices used to mitigate climate change
4. Evaluate the legal implications of various environmental issues

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Summary: Engaging content on human impact on our planet, including biodiversity loss, greenhouse gas emissions, and pollution as well as the solutions we can pursue.

Teacher Application: Engaging and inspiring videos, and interactive content.

Pro: Highly engaging videos on interactions between climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution caused by humans

Con: More of a biodiversity focus than climate change specific.

Grade Level

5-12
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Beyond the hit Netflix video content dissecting humans impact on 7 diverse ecosystems, Our Planet offers lots of ways for students to get involved in changing the course of our planet’s future. Short videos, easy to digest statistics, and straightforward solutions to global challenges provide a positive perspective on human-nature interactions. Their explorable globe, student and teacher resources, and ways to get involved further provide an engaging yet educational experience for all ages.

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APPLICATION

1. Our Planet Toolkit provides grade specific supplementary discussions and activities to use alongside Our Planet videos.
2. Explorable Globe is an interactive tool demonstrating the history of human impact on our planet from the beginning of our species.
3. Links to Actions students can take personally and international initiatives they can get involved in ranging from clean air, endangered species to sustainable agriculture.

 

CURRICULUM

1. Determine the effect climate change has on the diversity of living things
2. Discuss the impact of human activities on natural cycles and the global commons (overfishing, water pollution, water depletions etc.)
3. Describe a variety of climate change media
4. Determine how to communicate climate change most effectively

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Summary: 350.org is an international climate action and advocacy movement.

Teacher Application: 350.org provides simplified climate science resources and coordinates local, regional and international climate movements.

Pro: Visual resources for communicating climate change issues effectively including art, photo, video and graphic design.

Grade Level

8-12
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350.org is an international movement of ordinary people working to end the age of fossil fuels and build a world of community-led renewable energy for all. This site is a source of up to date international scale climate news, provides local 350 chapter events and activities and has a wide array of resources for education and action work. This includes simplified and engaging science content, art, graphics, visuals and videos and tools for training climate action leaders. Furthermore, this is a great site to find out ways to get involved in local climate action work.

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APPLICATION

1. Visual climate change content to supplement science lessons and increase student engagement on topics such as climate action, divestment from fossil fuels, and climate equity.
2. Up to date international media reports provide relevant newsworthy stories that can help bring climate change impacts and action to life in the classroom.
3. Map of local chapters shows where and when groups meet or host events across Canada allowing students to get involved in real life action within their community or region.

 

CURRICULUM

1. Evaluate renewable and non-renewable energy resources
2. Determine the social, ethical, environmental implications of climate change
3. Discuss broad mitigation strategies

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NASA Climate Change

Summary: NASA Global Climate change is a scientific and research organization which provides interactive and educational resources on climate change.

Teacher Application: Provides detailed, accurate and media-rich resources for teaching climate change as well as current news and research within the field.

Pro: Detailed, current and interactive.

Con: Not as much content on mitigation and adaptation.

Grade Level

8-12
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The NASA website provides a robust and content rich overview of themes related to climate change science. They break down the content into evidence, causes, effects, scientific consensus, vital signs, and FAQs . One notable feature of the website is the interactivity, for example, the website boasts a climate time machine which shows climate change over time, and a map dotted with images of climate changing the landscape all over the world. There is also an interactive quiz that allows you to test your knowledge on climate change and related issues and other new content being created regularly.

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APPLICATION

1. Eyes on the Earth 3D: Visualization of NASA satellites which collect data about the Earth’s physical and natural systems
2. Climate Time Machine: This shows the change in climate over time in various places around the world.
3. Quiz: The quiz is an opportunity to test your knowledge on climate change

 

CURRICULUM

1. Describe the greenhouse effect and its contribution to climate change
2. Identify the naturally occurring gases in the atmosphere and how they change over time
3. Describe the natural phenomena and human activities known to affect the global climate
4. Identify and describe a carbon sink

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Summary: Environmental Defense is a Canadian advocacy organization working to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities.

Teacher Application: Environmental Defense offers Canadian specific content focused on relevant and newsworthy issues and a positive message on opportunities to transition to clean energy sources.

Pro: Environmental Defense puts out evidence-based research, reports and guides to educate the Canadian public about environmental challenges and solutions.

Grade Level

8-12
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Environmental Defense is a Canadian organization focused on empowering Canadians to take action in their daily lives, working with industry to build a clean, prosperous economy and encouraging our government to enact policies that protect Canadian’s environment. This organization covers a range of relevant contemporary environmental issues including toxic chemicals, climate change, clean energy, plastic pollution, freshwater and creating livable communities. They focus on encompassing all aspects of each issue including human health, equity and justice and environmental sustainability. Specific to climate change this organization provides information on large scale Canadian specific solutions including capping tar sand pollution, building a clean economy and ending public subsidies for fossil fuel while also providing opportunities to take action in the form of signing petitions, spreading the message on social media, sending letters to political leaders and informing up to date policy action taking place.

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APPLICATION

1. Young Reporters for the Environment national eco-journalism competition.
2. Debate current or proposed climate policy using Environmental Defense reports, media coverage, and blogs which provide good reader-friendly summaries of complex environmental policies on a range of issues.

 

CURRICULUM

1. Evaluate the benefits of a green economy and the challenges to get us there
2. Determine the naturally occurring gases in the atmosphere and how they change over time
3. Describe the social, ethical, environmental implications of climate change

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Climate Action Network Canada

Summary: Climate Action Network Canada is a coalition of over 100 organizations working together on climate action.

Teacher Application: Webinars, media, monthly climate bulletins have up to date Canadian specific content.

Pro: All content available in both French and English

Grade Level

8-12
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Climate Action Network Canada – Réseau action climat – brings together over 100 youth, labour, development, faith-based and indigenous groups and national, provincial, and territorial environmental organizations to coordinate climate action and policy for the greatest impact. A wide range of webinars, workshops, research, publications, media reports are compiled from their network of members and available on this site.

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APPLICATION

1. Webinars provide diverse and detailed look into a wide range of Canadian specific topics including carbon pricing, climate finance, understanding Canadian and International climate reports, decarbonization.
2. Simplified Climate Policy including short articles such as what the Paris Agreement means for Canada or dissecting the Pan-Canadian Framework on Climate Change and Clean Growth..
3. ClimaCon annual conference hosted by Climate Action Network.

 

CURRICULUM

1. Define Climate Change
2. Analyze Canada’s Response to Climate Change
3. Analyze the impact of climate change on the livelihood of individuals across the globe

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