Module Overview

The fourteen activities are organized by themes into five sections.

 

Each section contains:

  • an overview to provide background information,
  • a list of concepts that students may mistakenly hold which could generate confusion as educators use these activities,
  • an activity that introduces basic concepts, and
  • subsequent activities extend and apply those concepts.

Have a quick look at the module activities.

ModuleCover

 

1 Section 1: Climate Change and Forests Introduces climate change, perceptions of climate change, climate science, and the use of climate models.
2 Section 2: Forest Management and Adaptation Focuses on strategies that scientists and forest landowners are using to understand and enhance forest productivity in an uncertain climate.
3 Section 3: Carbon Sequestration Introduces carbon sequestration as one tool forest managers can use to mitigate climate change.
4 Section 4: Life Cycle Assessment Explores product life cycle assessments to help students consider how consumer choices influence atmospheric carbon dioxide.
5 Section 5: Solutions for Change Summarizes the themes of the module and connects ideas about carbon sequestration from Section 3 to life cycle assessment from Section 4.

 

The activities are designed to increase students’ knowledge, systems thinking and decision-making skills, and confidence that individual and community actions can help address climate change. The activities use a a variety of engaging teaching methods.

  • Role-play
  • WebQuest
  • Data analysis
  • Videos and slide presentations
  • Cooperative learning exercises
  • Field work
  • Service-learning action project
  • Small group discussions
  • Debate

 


In each activity in the module, you will find what you need to lead it successfully with your class.

  • Background information
  • Step-by-step instructions
  • Activity overview listing materials needed, timeframe, objectives, and more
  • Systems thinking connections and  supplemental enrichment exercises
  • Assessment ideas
  • Student pages, presentations, and answer keys

On this website, you can download the whole module at once or one activity at a time from the activity webpages. Learn more about this at Using the Materials and the Website.

 

This module includes information and supplemental exercises to help instructors interested in encouraging students to apply systems thinking to the activities.

In each activity, a Systems Thinking Connection box and systems reflection questions help instructors emphasize and reinforce systems concepts. In addition, Activities 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10 include descriptions of Systems Enrichment Exercises that are available on the module website. These supplemental exercises provide opportunities to explore systems thinking tools and concepts in more depth.

 

PuzzleLook for this icon to easily recognize the systems thinking components.