Teaching Climate Change Course Syllabus
Teaching Climate Change Essentials is a six-week, online teacher climate course for K-12 educators comprising both asynchronous and synchronous elements.
There are six learning modules, one per week. In each module teachers learn new content, collaborate and engage in peer reviews, receive feedback from course facilitators. In this scaffolded, online PD, teachers identify how best to implement new ideas within their existing curriculum.
The number of hours of facilitated coursework varies each week depending on whether teachers are taking the course for PD hours, CEUs or Graduate Credits. While this teacher climate course does have weekly assignments, teachers have the flexibility to learn at their own pace. And they can complete the coursework at times that fit their weekly schedule.
In addition to the six learning modules, spaced throughout the climate education course are three live webinars led by subject experts. These webinars include small group work in breakout rooms discussing and synthesizing the content shared by the guest speaker.
Course Reading Materials
This primary course ebook is provided.
Wilford H. Welch, 2021. Ebook.
In Our Hands: A handbook for intergenerational actions to solve the climate crisis.
What will the world look like in 2050 if we take action to get global warming under control? What will it look like if we don’t? The book explores how these two scenarios. And looks at the individual and collective steps we must take to protect our future. It provides ideas and resources to inspire the move from concern to action. It proposes that by collaborating across generations, we can build a more resilient world.
Teaching Climate Change Syllabus
The Teaching Climate Change Essentials, teacher climate course syllabus is comprised of the six learning modules below.
Module 1 | Climate Change in Your Classroom
In this introductory module, you will meet your instructors and peers and introduce yourself. You will examine and validate climate resources and reflect on your personal goals for the course. Themes of climate justice and the disproportionate effect of climate change on marginalized populations are covered throughout the course.
Module 2 | Introduction to Climate Science Literacy
Module 3 | Climate Science 101
Module 5 | Climate Change Urgency & Solutions
This module enables you to examine the urgency of climate change action. The module focuses on climate change solutions, including mitigation and adaptation related to climate change. You will evaluate the complexity of the solutions for climate change / global warming, evaluate the complexity of the solutions, explore individual and community actions, and assess the impacts of climate change in your region and as related to global sustainability.
Module 6 | Bringing it All Together
The final module gives you the chance to apply what you have learned over the five weeks of this teacher professional development. You will augment lessons or a unit to include climate change / global warming. You will receive detailed feedback from your facilitator and peers, review peer work, and reflect on your learning.