Understanding Climate: Learning activities and resources for K-12

The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) was founded to enhance understanding of environmental change and sustainable development issues. The Institute focuses its unique efforts on applying space-based Earth observations and information technology to further science, provide information for decision making, and advance education. Our education activities include:professional development, materials, and resource development, program planning and evaluation, and student involvement programs.

This presentation focuses on IGES’ programs and resources for K-12 education, including:

-- Earth Education Site -- an WWW-based database of education resources and programs;

-- Discover Earth Classroom Materials -- teacher-developed activities on Earth system science and climate change topics for grades 5-12;

-- A new series of informational pieces and learning activities examining the potential impacts of climate change;

-- Cycles of Change, an art contest for students ages 6-10; and

-- NASA Student Involvement Program (NSIP), a national program of investigations and design challenges for students in grades 3-12, developed in collaboration with NASAwhich includes two new Earth science competitions: Watching Earth Change and Earth Systems in My Neighborhood.