BOULDER – If you’re a middle or high school teacher seeking innovative ways to engage students in the science of climate change, look no further.  CU-Boulder is offering a series of teacher-developed and teacher-tested model lessons on its LearnMoreAboutClimate.colorado.edu website.

These problem-based lessons were developed by teams of Colorado middle and high school teachers along with university scientists and science education researchers who participated in the "Making the Global Local:  Colorado Climate Curriculum Workshop" hosted by CU-Boulder last summer.  During the fall 2009 semester, teachers tested the lessons in their own classrooms and worked with other workshop participants to refine them.

The result is a set of model lessons that focus on the following single driving questions:

• Evidence of Climate Change — How would we know if Colorado's climate is changing and how will it affect me?
• Mountain Pine Beetles — Why are our forests dying?
• Zoo Poo — Does burning poo at the Denver Zoo reduce CO2?
• Modeling Climate — What makes you hot?

All of these topics are linked to one or more of five Learn More About Climate videos, which localize climate change by pairing interviews with leading climate scientists with everyday Coloradans who explain how climate change is affecting Colorado communities. 

Each lesson outlines the essential principles, learning objectives and Colorado State Science Standards addressed and is accompanied by a variety of classroom materials that can be adapted for learners in grades 5-12.  Suggestions for potential extensions and links to additional climate change curricula and other classroom resources are also provided.

To access the model lessons, visit LearnMoreAboutClimate.Colorado.Edu and click on the “For Educators” tab. 

"Making the Global Local" and LearnMoreAboutClimate.Colorado.edu are collaborative initiatives that involve CU-Boulder faculty and national institute scientists. Both are coordinated by the Office for University Outreach in the Division of Continuing Education and Professional Studies (CEPS).