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Eco-Schools USA and Climate Literacy

National Wildlife Federation and its Eco-Schools USA program believe educators play a key role in developing a climate-literate citizenry. With climate change being one of the most significant environmental issues of our time, young adults need to fully understand the essential principles of Earth’s systems and the impact of climate change on them. Students also need to be exposed to “real science” that is experiential and engaging, providing them with the ability to communicate about climate change and make informed decisions about their own actions. 

NWF and NASA Collaborate

Eco-Schools USA Climate Change Connections (CCC) is designed to build upon and utilize the many NASA mission resources, programs, and associated interfaces to enhance authentic learning experiences for both educators and students. It seeks to develop an integrated systems-thinking approach to understanding and acting upon the issue of climate change. In collaboration with mission education specialists from ICESat, LandSat, Terra, AQUA, and AURA, a cross-programmatic curriculum was developed to provide a unified or systems-thinking approach to addressing real-world Earth systems problems. At the same time, it is our desire that educators utilize this curriculum to attract and retain students in STEM disciplines and inspire the next generation of Earth Scientists.

Eco-Schools USA Climate Change Connections Curriculum

The CCC curriculum is designed to meet the cognitive abilities of high schools students. The STEM-focused curriculum is divided into four units and includes 19 inquiry-based lessons that also incorporate significant reading and writing opportunities. 

Unit I: An Introduction to Eco-Schools USA and NASA Data                      
            Lesson 1: Green Green Revolution
            Lesson 2: Get Your Techno On!

Unit II: Factors Influencing Temperature
             Lesson 3: Is It Getting Hot In Here or Is It Me?
             Lesson 4: Why All the Wiggling on the Way Up?
             Lesson 5: Wherefore Art Thou, Albedo?
             Lesson 6: A Love-Hate Relationship Part I
             Lesson 7: A Love-Hate Relationship Part II
             Lesson 8: Culmination Work for Lessons 3-7

Unit III: How Climate Affects Natural and Human Systems
             Lesson 9: I Speak for the Polar Bears!
             Lesson 10: I’ve Reached the Point of No Return
             Lesson 11: Citizen Science to the Rescue!
             Lesson 12: Stifling, Oppressive, Sweltering, Oh My!
             Lesson 13: Now You See It, Now You Don’t
             Lesson 14: The Great Flood
             Lesson 15: Culminating Work for Lessons 9-14

Unit IV: Energy and Tools of the Trade
             Lesson 16: I’ve Got the POWER
             Lesson 17: Green My Building! Solar
             Lesson 18: Green My Building! Wind
             Lesson 19: Climate Solutions - A Call to Action!

Download a Sample Lesson
Unit IV: Lesson 16: I’ve Got the POWER! 
Solar Energy Potential at Your School

Climate Change Curriculum Opening (PDF)

Lesson 16 Body (PDF)

Lesson 16 Student Spreadsheet (Excel file)

Lesson 16 Teacher Spreadsheet (Excel file)