Climate and Energy Educational Resource Collection
The CLEAN Collection is a high-quality and rigorously reviewed collection of climate and energy educational resources and lesson plans aligned with the Climate Literacy and Energy Literacy frameworks, and the Next Generation Science Standards. Through peer-review, scientists and educators ensure scientific accuracy, pedagogic effectiveness, and classroom readiness for each resource. With nearly 1000 items in the CLEAN collection, there are multiple ways to find the resources you need. Type in a keyword, or click on the filter options, and off you go!
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Grade Level Show all
Intermediate (3-5)
145 matchesClimate Literacy Principles
- Humans can take action 50 matches Humans can take actions to reduce climate change and its impacts.
- Sun is primary energy 36 matches The Sun is the primary source of energy for Earth's climate system
- Climate is complex 49 matches Climate is regulated by complex interactions among components of the Earth system
- Life affects climate; climate affects life 24 matches Life on Earth depends on, is shaped by, and affects climate
- Climate is variable 32 matches Climate varies over space and time through both natural and man-made processes
- Our understanding of climate 54 matches Our understanding of the climate system is improved through observations, theoretical studies, and modeling
- Humans affect climate 37 matches Human activities are impacting the climate system
- Climate change has consequences 63 matches Climate change will have consequences for the Earth system and human lives
Teaching Across the Curriculum
Climate and Energy Topics
- Causes of Climate Change 28 matches Includes natural changes (cyclic variability, volcanic eruptions, solar output) and human-caused changes (due to GHG emissions and land use changes)
- Climate Impacts 62 matches Includes sea level rise; extreme weather; drought; changes to ecosystems, plants and animals; melting ice and permafrost; ocean warming; impacts to water resources, agriculture, public health and national security
- Climate System 77 matches Includes natural processes within the climate system: orbital patterns, solar radiation, oceans, atmosphere, water cycle, the natural greenhouse effect, carbon cycle, regional climates and differences between climate and weather.
- Energy Use 18 matches Sources of energy, usage trends, conservation, policy
- Human Responses to Climate 48 matches Includes policy, mitigation, adaptation, risk management, personal responsibility
- Measuring and Modeling Climate 52 matches Instrumental measurements, proxy data, climate model projections
- Nature of Climate Science 3 matches Includes the process of science and common misconceptions about climate science
NGSS Performance Expectations
NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas
NGSS Cross-Cutting Concepts
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices
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Grade LevelIntermediate (3-5)
Results 1 - 10 of 145 matches
Translating Climate Change into Music
In this lesson, students collect outdoor observational data to create a song about climate change. Intermediate music students will not only earn a greater appreciation for Alaska, but also for ...Reviewed Collection
This resources has passed the CLEAN review process
Tiny Ice: Bits From Antarctica Video Series
This video series highlights the travel, science, and life at the South Pole research station. In this 10-part series, topics are explained in 3-4 minute, digestible segments which include photos and ...Reviewed Collection
This resources has passed the CLEAN review process
Rising Tides: Protect Your Home from the Waves
Warming oceans and melting landlocked ice caused by global climate change may result in rising sea levels. This rise in sea level combined with increased intensity and frequency of storms will ...Reviewed Collection
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In this activity, students use measurement and area skills to learn about remote detection of wildfires from space. After detecting mock wildfires with mobile devices, students then study ...
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Mapping a Personal Story of Environmental Change
This is a very simple but effective lesson that engages students with drawing a map of their local environment, then annotating their map with environmental changes they've observed. The ...Reviewed Collection
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Children experiment with freezing water to observe a state change of water, and discover that it is less dense as a solid (ice) than it is as a liquid (water). Amazing Expanding Ice is an overnight ...
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Children observe an ice cube in water and discuss the amount of ice above and below the water, discuss density of ice, and make predictions. Based on what they have observed about small ice chunks, ...
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Flubber Flow is a 30-minute activity in which teams of four to five children experiment with Flubber and investigate how a solid can flow! They predict and model the properties of glaciers, view ...
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NASA eClips: Our World: ICESat-2 - What Is Ice?
This 3-minute eClip video from Nasa's Our World series introduces students to the unique properties of water.Reviewed Collection
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NASA eClips: Our World: Cool Clouds
This eClip video is part of NASA's Our World series and introduces students to the basics of cloud formation.Reviewed Collection
This resources has passed the CLEAN review process