Created byLeanna Barrett

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Climate Change Adaptation Presentation

Grade 3Environmental Science10 days

In this project-based learning experience, third-grade students explore climate change adaptation by developing community strategies inspired by natural adaptations in plants and animals. Students investigate their local ecosystems through nature walks, analyze global adaptation techniques, and create innovative solutions for local climate challenges. The project emphasizes scientific understanding, creativity, and communication skills, culminating in a presentation to share their adaptation stories and strategies. Throughout the process, students engage in various activities, such as role-playing in the 'Kids' Climate Congress' and contributing to a 'Global Climate Chronicles.'

Climate ChangeAdaptationCommunity PlanningEnvironmental ScienceCreative Problem-SolvingPresentation Skills

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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we create a plan or strategy to help our local community adapt to climate change, taking inspiration from how plants, animals, and other communities around the world adapt to environmental changes?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.

What are the different ways that plants and animals adapt to changes in their environment?
How do human activities impact the environment and climate change?
What can we do to help our community adapt to climate change?
Why is it important for communities to plan for climate change?
What are some examples of climate change adaptation strategies used around the world?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:

Understand how living organisms, including plants and animals, adapt to environmental changes.
Explore the impact of human activities on climate change and the environment.
Develop a plan or strategy to help a local community adapt to climate change.
Research and evaluate different examples of climate change adaptation strategies used worldwide.
Effectively communicate the findings and adaptation strategies through a chosen medium.

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

3-ESS3-1

Primary

Make a claim about the merit of a design solution that reduces the impacts of a weather-related hazard.Reason: This standard aligns well with the project's focus on climate change adaptation, where students can explore solutions that help reduce the impacts of such hazards.

3-LS4-4

Primary

Make a claim about how living things can adapt and survive in various environmental conditions.Reason: The project involves understanding how plants and animals adapt to climate changes, which fits within this standard.

3-ESS2-2

Secondary

Obtain and combine information to describe climates in different regions of the world.Reason: Understanding different regional climates is essential for creating a community adaptation plan, aligning with this standard.

Common Core Standards

W.3.2

Supporting

Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.Reason: Students will present their findings in writing, which aligns with this writing standard.

SL.3.4

Supporting

Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking clearly at an understandable pace.Reason: Presenting their project aligns with the standard for speaking and listening, making it relevant to their final presentation.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Climate Detective

Students are introduced to a mysterious video message from a 'future climate scientist' urging them to join a secret mission of understanding and mitigating the changes in their local environment. This sets the stage for them to investigate local environmental changes and brainstorm adaptation strategies, integrating both science and creativity.

Kids' Climate Congress

Students participate in a role-play event where they become young ambassadors presenting 'green solutions' from different parts of the world. This Congress challenges them to think globally and understand diverse adaptation strategies—sparking ideas for their local solutions.

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Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.

Activity 1

Local Ecosystem Explorers

Students begin by exploring their local environment to understand the specific changes occurring due to climate change. This exploration helps them appreciate their immediate ecosystem's dynamics and how it compares to global spots they will study later.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Organize a nature walk around the school or community to observe local plants and animals.

2. Document any visible changes or adaptations observed in the local flora and fauna.

3. Discuss observations in class and list potential climate change impacts.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA class chart documenting observed local adaptations and environmental changes.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with 3-LS4-4 as it involves observing adaptations of living things in various conditions.

Activity 2

Global Climate Chronicles

In this step, students investigate different climate zones and how organisms adapt in these environments, broadening their understanding before focusing on local adaptations.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Divide the class into groups, assigning each a different climate zone.

2. Research specific climate conditions and adaptation strategies plants and animals use in these zones.

3. Present findings in a 'climate chronicles' format—using maps, drawings, or digital tools.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityGroup presentations detailing climate zones with their unique adaptation features.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsWorks with 3-ESS2-2 as it entails researching and describing different climatic regions.

Activity 3

Adaptation Design Marathon

Students brainstorm and design a hypothetical adaptation solution for their community. This activity blends creativity with problem-solving skills targeted at addressing real-world environmental changes.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Hold a class brainstorming session to list community-specific challenges due to climate change.

2. Draft individual or group proposals for innovative solutions or design adaptations that could mitigate these challenges.

3. Sketch designs and describe how these could be implemented locally.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityInnovative adaptation proposal poster with sketches and descriptions.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsMeets 3-ESS3-1 by developing a design solution to weather-related problems.

Activity 4

Adaptation Storytime

Combining storytelling with science, students write and illustrate a story conveying their adaptation solutions, encouraging empathy and deeper understanding.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Using the proposal poster as a guide, write a narrative story about a community using their adaptation strategy.

2. Illustrate key moments in the story to visually enhance the narrative.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn illustrated story depicting an adaptation plan in action.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsTies into W.3.2 by requiring writing about their topic with clarity and creativity.

Activity 5

Climate Change Champions Congress

Students present their completed projects to the class or a broader audience, emphasizing effective communication and public speaking skills.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Prepare presentation materials based on their stories and proposals.

2. Rehearse the presentation with peers to boost confidence and incorporate feedback.

3. Conduct the final presentation to the audience, using clear and engaging language.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA well-delivered presentation showcasing their adaptation story and plan.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports SL.3.4 by teaching students to present their work with relevant details clearly.

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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Climate Change Adaptation Project Rubric

Category 1

Scientific Understanding and Application

Evaluates the student's ability to understand and apply scientific concepts related to climate change adaptation.

Criterion 1

Observation and Documentation

Ability to observe local ecosystems and document adaptations and changes.

Exemplary

4 Points

Demonstrates thorough and detailed observations with insightful connections to adaptation concepts.

Proficient

3 Points

Provides clear observations with relevant connections to adaptation concepts.

Developing

2 Points

Offers basic observations with some connections to adaptation concepts.

Beginning

1 Points

Presents incomplete observations with minimal connections to adaptation concepts.

Criterion 2

Research and Analysis

Ability to research climate adaptation strategies worldwide and analyze their effectiveness.

Exemplary

4 Points

Conducts comprehensive research, showcasing deep analysis and understanding of global strategies.

Proficient

3 Points

Conducts thorough research with clear analysis of adaptation strategies.

Developing

2 Points

Gathers basic research with limited analysis of strategies.

Beginning

1 Points

Gathers minimal research with little to no analysis of strategies.

Category 2

Creative Problem-Solving and Design

Assesses the student's creativity and problem-solving skills in designing adaptation solutions.

Criterion 1

Innovation and Design

Ability to create innovative and practical design solutions for climate adaptation.

Exemplary

4 Points

Develops a highly innovative and feasible adaptation design with detailed explanations.

Proficient

3 Points

Proposes a practical and creative adaptation design with clear explanations.

Developing

2 Points

Offers a basic and partially practical adaptation design with some explanation.

Beginning

1 Points

Presents a limited and impractical design with unclear explanations.

Category 3

Communication and Presentation

Evaluates the clarity, engagement, and effectiveness of the student's communication and presentation skills.

Criterion 1

Clarity and Engagement

Ability to communicate ideas clearly and engage the audience effectively.

Exemplary

4 Points

Communicates ideas with exceptional clarity and fully engages the audience throughout the presentation.

Proficient

3 Points

Communicates ideas clearly and engages the audience effectively.

Developing

2 Points

Communicates ideas with some clarity and attempts to engage the audience.

Beginning

1 Points

Communicates ideas with limited clarity and engagement.

Criterion 2

Narrative and Illustration

Ability to write and illustrate a compelling story about their adaptation plan.

Exemplary

4 Points

Crafts a highly engaging and well-illustrated story that clearly presents the adaptation plan.

Proficient

3 Points

Writes a clear and illustrated story effectively presenting the adaptation plan.

Developing

2 Points

Writes a basic story with some illustrations related to the adaptation plan.

Beginning

1 Points

Presents an unclear story with minimal illustrations related to the adaptation plan.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning

Question 1

Reflect on your journey through the Climate Change Adaptation project. What was the most memorable part for you, and why?

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Question 2

On a scale of 1 to 5, how much do you feel your understanding of climate change adaptation has improved?

Scale

Required

Question 3

What were your key takeaways about how living organisms adapt to environmental changes?

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Question 4

Which activity did you find most challenging? How did you overcome any difficulties you encountered?

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Question 5

Why do you think it is important for communities to plan for climate change?

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Question 6

Which entry event (Climate Detective or Kids' Climate Congress) was more engaging for you, and why?

Multiple choice

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Options

Climate Detective

Kids' Climate Congress

Question 7

Reflecting on your final presentation, what skills do you feel you have developed or improved?

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