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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Climate Literacy Principles
- Humans can take action 51 matches Humans can take actions to reduce climate change and its impacts.
- Sun is primary energy 25 matches The Sun is the primary source of energy for Earth's climate system
- Climate is complex 47 matches Climate is regulated by complex interactions among components of the Earth system
- Life affects climate; climate affects life 30 matches Life on Earth depends on, is shaped by, and affects climate
- Climate is variable 34 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 39 matches Human activities are impacting the climate system
- Climate change has consequences 57 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 30 matches Includes natural changes (cyclic variability, volcanic eruptions, solar output) and human-caused changes (due to GHG emissions and land use changes)
- Climate Impacts 60 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 59 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 30 matches Sources of energy, usage trends, conservation, policy
- Human Responses to Climate 59 matches Includes policy, mitigation, adaptation, risk management, personal responsibility
- Measuring and Modeling Climate 57 matches Instrumental measurements, proxy data, climate model projections
- Nature of Climate Science 8 matches Includes the process of science and common misconceptions about climate science
NGSS Performance Expectations Show all
NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas
NGSS Cross-Cutting Concepts
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices
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NGSS Performance ExpectationsMiddle School
Results 1 - 10 of 128 matches
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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Product Development and the Environment
Students describe the steps in a product life cycle assessment and suggest ways to reduce the environmental impacts of engineered products.Reviewed Collection
This resources has passed the CLEAN review process
HEART Force - A Changing Climate: Understanding Drought in Colorado
In this lesson, students build an understanding of drought in Colorado through exploring case studies, authentic data, and online resources. After completing this lesson, students will be able to ...Reviewed Collection
This resources has passed the CLEAN review process
HEART Force - A Changing Climate: Understanding Floods in Colorado
In this hazard lesson, students build an understanding of flooding in Colorado by exploring case studies, authentic data, and online resources. After completing this lesson, students will be able to ...Reviewed Collection
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Students model the effect of greenhouse gases on Earth's atmosphere. They find that greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, are uniquely shaped to catch and pass on infrared ...
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Students consider the ways their climate affects their region, by identifying a type of food unique to the region and selecting (and possibly cooking) a recipe that features that ingredient. Optional ...
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This activity includes two experiments that explore shadows and light and how mirrors can demonstrate how light travels.
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In this hands-on inquiry-based activity, students face an engineering challenge based on real-world applications. They are tasked with developing a tool they can use to measure the amount of rain ...
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This activity was developed to give participants an understanding of Earth's water cycle by completing a WebQuest and building a model of the water cycle.
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In this lesson, students will learn about the water cycle and how energy from the sun and the force of gravity drive this cycle.
Reviewed Collection
This resources has passed the CLEAN review process