Shine – Mini Climate Change Musical

Provided by: CLEAN |Published on: January 27, 2026

Lesson Plans

3-12

Synopsis

This musical production and 12-lesson unit by Inside the Greenhouse shows the basics of photosynthesis, energy flow in ecosystems, and fossil fuels, then describes the journey through time that led to our reliance on fossil fuels and anthropogenic climate change.
The lessons contain visual arts and movement activities, culminating in students writing the second act of the play, illustrating a potential future full of hope.
All materials for putting on the musical production are provided here.

Related Teaching Resources

Subjects: Science, Visual and Performing Arts

Authors: Beth Osnes | Shira Dickler, Inside the Greenhouse

Region: Global

Languages: English

View Resource

Teaching Materials

Positives

This is an excellent resource for teachers, programs, and classes with an interest in incorporating musical theater.
Having students write the second act themselves gives them ownership of the work, as well as a sense of responsibility and a full immersion into exploring solutions.
Students will love the embodied movement activities that get them up and moving.

Prerequisites

Many of the links in the lesson plan document, including those to the trailer, choreography, full performance, script, and music are broken. These can all be found here, accompanied by additional resources.
Depending on the module, activity, and whether the teacher intends to produce a full musical, teachers will need to gather resources ahead of time and potentially arrange for outside rehearsals, performance dates, etc.
Teachers should note that some of the links for reference are not clickable or are broken.

Differentiation & Implementation

Language arts or theater teachers that don’t have the time or resources to produce a musical can simply have students do a dramatic reading of the script for act one and then author their own ending for act two.
Earth science or geology classes can use the recording of the first act to show an interpretation of the geologic time scale and geologic history.
Before writing the second act, students, especially older students, may want to explore some climate solutions to reference. Older students can check out this climate solutions explorer, while younger students can check out this kid-friendly version.
Teachers across disciplines can team up to put this musical together using class time. Science teachers can guide students in understanding climate change and exploring solutions. Language arts teachers can guide students in writing the second act of the musical. Music teachers or PE teachers can help students with the movement components, visual arts teachers can work with students to create the props and costumes for the musical.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

Standards

Resource Type and Format

About the Partner Provider

CLEAN

The CLEAN Network is a professionally diverse community of over 630 members committed to improving climate and energy literacy locally, regionally, nationally, and globally in order to enable responsible decisions and actions. The CLEAN Network has been a dynamic group since 2008 and is now led by the CLEAN Leadership Board established in 2016.

Related Teaching Resources

All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.