Climate Change and Science

Addressing climate change demands a clear understanding of both the scientific and societal forces at play. Climate science is deeply interdisciplinary, and integrating climate content across subjects helps students better understand the causes and impacts of climate change. Use these classroom-ready lesson plans and teaching materials to help students explore the solutions needed to meet the challenges climate change brings.

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How to Teach Climate Change in Science Classrooms

Lesson Guide: Direct Impacts of Climate Change External link Locked

Help students explore the effects of climate change on Earth’s natural systems now and in the future to understand why even small amounts of warming can have big impacts.
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Climate News, Clear Thinking with Heatmap External link

Spark student curiosity and boost climate smarts with real-world stories from Heatmap journalists, the people working to tell the inside story of the race to fix the planet.
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Blog: Teaching climate change in every classroom: Empowering America’s students for the future External link

Research shows that when students are empowered with knowledge and opportunities to act, their mental health improves. Climate education is not just about teaching facts—it’s about building hope, agency, and resilience.
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Climate Project Standards Alignment External link

Information about how OER Project: Climate aligns with your classroom standards.
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OER Project: Climate Course Guide External link

Everything you need to know about teaching the course.

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Earth & Space Science and Climate Change

Lesson Plan: Earth & Space Science and Climate Change External link Locked

Students investigate scientific evidence for climate change by analyzing real-world data on global temperatures, greenhouse gas emissions, sea-level rise, and extreme heat.
Low angle view of two scientists wearing warm clothes and using tools to core ice in Utqiavik, Alaska.

Article: How Do We Know Climate Change Is Real? External link

Dig into four charts about global temperatures, emissions, and the correlation between them.
Overview drove shot of waterfront homes inundated by rising sea and waves.

Article: Climate Impacts: Sea-Level Rise External link

This data exploration focuses on global sea-level rise—its connections to greenhouse gas emissions and the ways it threatens human communities all over the world.

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Life Science and Climate Change

Lesson Plan: Life Science and Climate Change External link Locked

Discover how living systems respond to climate change by evaluating real-world adaptation strategies that reduce the impacts of human activities on ecosystems and communities.
A farmer holds two cobs of corn: one of regular maize that is small and shrunken and another that is climate-resistant maize that is full-size and healthy.

Article: Adaptation Solutions External link

Adaptation solutions come in all shapes and sizes. Explore some of the key areas that can have the biggest impact.

Infographic: Resilient Cities External link

Explore the building adaptations that can make our cities more resilient and livable in the face of climate change.

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Engineering and Climate Change

Lesson Plan: Engineering and Climate Change External link Locked

Explore how engineering and innovation contribute to addressing climate change by evaluating existing and emerging technological solutions.
Aerial view of a solar farm and wind turbines near the highway road interchange.

Article: The Solutions We Have and the Innovations We Need External link

We’ve made some real progress with our current climate solutions, but these aren’t enough to get us to net zero. Now, we’ll look at both the solutions we have and the innovations we need to reach our climate goals.
Climate Innovation Research

Activity: Climate Innovation Research External link

If you had a magic wand, what climate innovation would you develop? Do some research and make your choice.
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Community: Ask, Connect, Share

Classroom connections: climate education in every classroom!

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