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The Age of Exploration and Climate Change Lesson Plan

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OER PROJECT / LESSON PLANTEACHING GUIDEAge of Explorationand Climate Change Lesson PlanLength: Approx. two 50-min.class periodsDescription: Draw clear connections between the Age of Explorationand modern climate change by exploring how the maritime voyages fromthe fifteenth century to the eighteenth centurybuilt global trade and transportation networks that still shape our world today.Note: Linked sample answers require a free teacher log-in. Click hereto sign up or log in.Learning Objectives:•Evaluate the lasting effects of the Age of Explorationon the environment.•Describe how transportation systems contribute to carbon emissions.Day 1: Global Connections•Opener:Have students prime their thinking by brainstorming alist of key factors that enabled European overseas exploration between 1450 and 1750 CE. Theymight consider new technologies, economic and religious motives, and state sponsorship. If possible, have them compare their ideas with a classmate. What did they agree on?What differences did they notice?•Read: Students read the article “Oceanic Empires, 1450 to 1750” and the graphic biography Yasuketo explore how colonies and commerce fueled new global networks.Find key idea questions and sample answers for these resources here.•Do: As students complete the activity Visualizing Oceanic Empires, they’ll develop a more complete understanding of what oceanic empires may have looked like, and the effect they had on individuals.
OER PROJECT / LESSON PLANTEACHING GUIDEDay 2: Global Emissions•Watch:As students watch the video Exploring the Grand Challenges, they’ll take notes about the connections between the Age of Explorationand sources of greenhouse gas emissions, paying close attention to the section on transportation(2:37–2:50).•Do: Students complete the Grand Challenge Image Sortactivity. Ask them to put a star next to each source of emissions they can connect to the Age of Exploration. There are no wrong answers if they can support their arguments!•Do: Students read the short “A Climate Future: Transportation” excerpt and complete the activity Data Investigation: Transportation. Ask them to discuss with a partner how they think transportation could be a part of the solution to climate change in the future.•Write: Students craft a claim in response to this question: How does the legacy of the Age of Exploration continue to shape the causes or effects of climate change today?oSample answer: The Age of Exploration helped create the interconnected, globalized world we know today, and it lay the groundwork for many of our modern climate challenges through the trade routes that eventually evolved into today’s transportation networks. Over time, these early pathways expanded into the complex, high-volume shipping and aviation systems that now move goods and people around the world. Innovation inhow we use these trade networks and transportation systems—through electric vehicles, alternative fuels, and other low-carbon technologies—offers a powerful path for addressing climate change.Optional Research ExtensionStudents can explore the Climate Tech Mapto research the most promising solutions to the food, agriculture, and nature challenges they learned about. This activitycan help structure their research as they learn more.Explore FurtherWant more? Check out these resources:•Infographic: The Grand Challenges•Article: “Solutions to the Grand Challenges”