CLIMATE CHANGE AND NATIONAL PARKS
6th-8th Grade | ≌60 minutes
Primary Standards
Supporting Standards
MS-ESS3-4 | Construct an argument supported by evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth’s systems. |
MS-LS2-4. | Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations. |
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6.6, 7.6 & 8.6 | Analyze the author's purpose in providing an explanation, describing a procedure, or discussing an experiment in a text. |
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6.9, 7.9 & 8.9 | Compare and contrast the information gained from experiments, simulations, video, or multimedia sources with that gained from reading a text on the same topic. |
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.6.6, 7.6 & 8.6 | Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and present the relationships between information and ideas clearly and efficiently. |
Essential Questions
How can we inform the public about the impacts of climate change on national parks?
How is climate change impacting national parks and the ecosystems within them?
What is climate change?
Learning Outcomes
I can evaluate adaptation and mitigation strategies used in national parks.
I can explain how climate change is impacting national parks including plants, animals and human visitors.
I can identify and explain the causes and effects of climate change.
I can create an evidence-based infographic informing the public about the impact of climate change on national parks.
Agenda
INQUIRE
~15 minutes
Questions & Exploration
How does it feel to be outside in nature?
Have you ever been to a national park?
What is the closest national park to you?
Use Google Earth street view to do a virtual tour of different national parks.
Images & Discussion
Share
How do the images make you feel?
Think about the phrase “climate change.” How are the images related to climate change?
What comes to mind while observing the images?
Class Brainstorm
[insert student questions here]
What questions do these images raise about national parks
or the environment?
INVESTIGATE
~20 minutes
Warming Up to Adaptation: Everglades
How is climate change impacting Everglades National Park?
How is the National Park Service adapting to climate change in Everglades National Park?
Climate Impacts Reading
What would happen to national parks if climate change trends continue?
Class Discussion
INSPIRE
~25 minutes
Create an Infographic
Infographic Design Guiding Questions
What data or information is important to include?
What colors or layout should I choose?
What graphs, images, and graphics should I add?
What is the best order to display the information?
What is the most impactful place or way for me
to share my infographic?
Exit Ticket
What actions can people, and you,
take to reduce climate change and
support national parks?
Share your journey with us!
@subjecttoclimate
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Creators & Collaborators
Please leave this slide for attribution.
Authors
Scientist Reviewer
Image Resources
Vanessa Wilson
Archibong Akpan, Ph.D.