Climate Literacy
Elementary and middle school students, inspired by Greta Thunberg, are increasingly determined to take action to address climate change. As a result, they are nudging their teachers to provide the lessons on foundational science concepts students must understand in order to design and implement meaningful student action projects.
To meet the need of Bay Area teachers for resources to help them better teach about environmental and climate issues, CRS engaged nearly two dozen partner organizations (from local science centers to state and regional park agencies and more) for a convening at Chabot Space and Science. Due to COVID, we postponed the in-person March event until September, and we’re working with partners on a new, interactive online format.
Environmental justice issues in their own communities are deeply engaging for students. CRS is working to empower teachers with the tools, resources, data, scientist partners, and strategies they need to build their students’ environmental and climate literacy. With these supports, teachers can engage their students in citizen science and student action projects, demonstrating the connections between “big, worldwide” issues and their own daily lives and communities.
To help teachers get started, CRS has curated high quality resources on a dedicated Environment and Climate Literacy webpage. We’ll also be offering climate & environmental focused professional development sessions, in partnership with other organizations, so that even though our in-person gathering is paused, the learning can move forward.
Kermit the Frog used to lament “it’s not easy being green.” Today’s kids want to “be green” and their teachers need support so they can make it easier for students to engage in authentic, student-driven initiatives to make the world a better place.
