Mapping a Personal Story of Environmental Change

Provided by: Arctic & Earth SIGNs |Published on: November 20, 2025

Activity - Classroom

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Scientist Reviewed ↗

Synopsis

In this assignment provided by CLEAN, students will work to create maps that tell a story about how climate change or social changes have impacted a place that is important to them.
The example maps for this assignment are for Alaska, but this resource can be used in classrooms worldwide for many locations.

Related Teaching Resources

Subjects: Geography

Authors: Arctic & Earth SIGNs

Region: Alaska

Languages: English

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Teaching Materials

Positives

By thinking of climate change in terms of local change, students will better be able to feel the gravity of the issue.
This activity encourages students to channel their creativity and their experiences, keeping them engaged in the learning.

Prerequisites

It may help students complete the map if they have already participated in discussions about how climate change is impacting areas familiar to them.
Students should be familiar with maps and their features.

Differentiation & Implementation

Because all the instructions and background information are on the worksheet handout, this assignment may work as an emergency sub plan activity that teachers can keep on hand. Teachers may want to just add a note that students should wait on Step 5, taking a photo of their map and sending it to the Arctic and Earth SIGNs team, until the teacher returns.
Advanced students can work with ArcGIS or Google Maps to create an interactive map of change.
Teachers can inspire students to turn their maps into data art, similar to those created by Jill Pelto.

Scientist Notes

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Resource Type and Format

Scientist Reviewed

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Mapping a Personal Story of Environmental Change

Synopsis

Teaching Materials

Scientist Reviewed

Related Teaching Resources