Exploring climate change (US)

In this lesson, students will be immersed in, and connect with, the documentary film 2040, focusing on the topic of climate change. Students begin by participating in a barometer activity to introduce them to some of the key terms around climate change. Students then work in groups to investigate a few of the key contributing factors to climate change – energy, food, and transport – by formulating a question around their assigned factor that could be explored through research.

These questions are then redistributed among the class for them to find answers to. Again, working collaboratively, students will formulate a question that could be addressed through an experiment or fieldwork, and develop a plan and justification for this experiment/fieldwork idea.

Level of teacher scaffolding:

Medium to high – oversee activities and facilitate class discussions.

Students will need to obtain more information about the issues they are going to investigate. They can identify questions of interest and research these either in small groups or on their own. Once information is gathered, it can be shared using chosen communication methods e.g. short presentations. Students can continue finding out by completing a range of investigations, including gathering data. They use appropriate methods to present and communicate what they have found out.

Learning intentions:

• Students will understand the key terms and processes relating to climate change
• Students will recognise the key contributing factors to climate change
• Students will recognise the role of developing a question to guide scientific research

Credits and acknowledgements:

Cool.org prepared the 2040 Curriculum Guide. Together Films adapted these lessons for US educators and will do an annual review of these resources to ensure they are still in line with the US Curriculum.

US Educator Note: Australian educational standards have been adapted and aligned by discipline, and when possible, to US standards.

Cool Australia, GoodThing Productions and Regen Studios would like to acknowledge the generous contributions of Good Pitch Australia, Shark Island Institute, Documentary Australia Foundation, The Caledonia Foundation, Global Health Film and our philanthropic partners in the development of these teaching resources.