The Benicia Unified School District (BUSD) can take a leadership role in climate change education by encouraging teachers to educate youth about actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Schools can use a “learn by doing” approach, such as establishing an on-campus composting program, installing solar photovoltaics, or using rain barrels for water reclamation.
Lesson Plans and Teacher Resources
California Environmental Protection Agency - Education and the Environment Initiative (EEI) Curriculum
Lesson plans and curriculum established by the California Environmental Protection Agency. The Final Draft EEI Curriculum is currently posted for public review and comment. There are 85 curriculum units spanning grades Kindergarten through 12th.
Environmental Protection Agency Teaching Center – Climate Change
Lesson plans created by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for grades 6-12.
EPA - Global Warming Wheel Card
EPA's Global Warming Wheel Card is a hand-held tool that you can use to estimate your household's emissions of carbon dioxide and learn how you can reduce them.
Bay Area Air Quality Management District – Youth Outreach and Education
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) has designed and piloted various climate change curriculum programs for grades K-12.
EPA - Climate Change, Wildlife, and Wildlands Toolkit
The new Climate Change, Wildlife and Wildlands Toolkit for Formal and Informal Educators is an update of the popular, award-winning Climate Change, Wildlife and Wildlands Toolkit for Teachers and Interpreters. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in partnership with seven other federal agencies, developed the kit for classroom teachers and informal educators in parks, refuges, forest lands, nature centers, zoos, aquariums, science centers, etc., to teach middle school students about how climate change is affecting our nation's wildlife and public lands and how everyone, even kids, can become "climate stewards".
U.S. Geological Survey - California Education Standards
US Geological Survey (USGS) on-line resources (publications and web sites) to an established list of Science and History-Social Science content standards for California.
US Department of Energy K-12 Lesson Plans
The US Department of Energy has designed over 60 creative lesson plans, projects and other activities for grades K-12 on energy-related topics. Additional resources are available at U.S. Department of Energy – Portal for Educators
California Department of Education - Environmental Education
Information on current environmental education resources, special events, grant opportunities, and a state plan for environment-based education provided by the California Department of Education.
Grants and Funding
California Environmental Protection Agency - Education Grants
California School Garden Network
Alliance for Climate Education - School Grant Competition
Website for Students
EPA - Kids
Provides environmental education resources for students and teachers.
Lose Your Excuse
Interactive website and game that teaches students about energy conservation and encourages them to make real life changes to reduce their energy and water consumption.
American Association for the Advancement of Science - Ask a Scientist
Website in which students can write scientists questions. Questions are answered by scientists working in a related field.
Meet the Greens
Interactive website designed by PBS – Kids and Technology Entertainment Design (TED).