In this activity, each student will choose a climate-related discussion topic from a list of topics, learn more about the topic, and then discuss the topic with another student.
Discussion topics include international aid, climate education, clean energy, food and farming, carbon capture, capitalism, and the role of government.
Teaching Tips
Positives
This activity features topics that some students may never have considered before, including the banning of synthetic fertilizer or the abolishment of capitalism.
The activity encourages students to show empathy.
Additional Prerequisites
Before the discussion, students will have to complete a ClimateScience course. The courses vary in length, but some take up to an hour to complete.
This activity is designed for pairs, but it would also work for small groups.
Differentiation
Teachers could also include climate policy topics that might be more relevant for the students, such as the school cafeteria should serve meat-free meals three days a week.
In a government class, students could represent different countries while discussing these issues.
This activity pairs up students and has them select opposite positions on a range of climate actions and climate policies. The students prepare for the debate/discussion either in class or as homework and then have a respectful debate. There are options for presenting what was learned from the debate to the class. Teachers may want to assign positions rather than have students select their own. This lesson is recommended for teaching.
Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
HS-ESS3-1 Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.
HS-ESS3-2 Evaluate competing design solutions for developing, managing, and utilizing energy and mineral resources based on cost-benefit ratios.
HS-ESS3-3 Create a computational simulation to illustrate the relationships among management of natural resources, the sustainability of human populations, and biodiversity.
HS-ESS3-4 Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.
HS-ESS3-6 Use a computational representation to illustrate the relationships among Earth systems and how those relationships are being modified due to human activity.
College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards
Dimension 4: Communicating and Critiquing Conclusions
D4.1.9-12 Construct arguments using precise and knowledgeable claims, with evidence from multiple sources, while acknowledging counterclaims and evidentiary weaknesses.
Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
Speaking & Listening (K-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1 Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9-10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1 Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 11-12 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
