Let's create continuous conversations about climate change education: Spreading the Sediment of Science!

EHRA Foundations: Lessons

Provided by: Environmental Health Research-to-Action

Lesson Plans Grades 6-8

Synopsis

This 10-lesson unit introduces students to environmental justice and health, health impacts in environmental justice communities, the use of science and data in environmental justice, and ways to fight against environmental injustice.
The lessons cover a wide range of related topics, like air and water quality, the importance of green spaces, citizen science, mapping tools, and environmental justice policy.
Students will explore many case studies from Detroit and Flint, Michigan.

Subjects: Biology, Geography

Authors: Environmental Health Research-to-Action

Region: Mid Michigan, Southeast Michigan

Languages: English

Positives

These lessons call on students to act for environmental justice, which can help them feel empowered.
Students will get to hear from a variety of speakers and read many different points of view.

Prerequisites

Students will need to have a basic understanding of pollution.
Students will need to have access to Flipgrid.
In Lesson 5, the link for the National Stormwater Calculator is missing, and the link for the CDC/ATSDR Social Vulnerability Index is broken.

Differentiation & Implementation

While these lessons are primarily for students in grades 6-8, many of the resources within the lesson have versions for students as young as 4th grade.
If microscopes or magnifying glasses are available, students can use them to take a closer look at the results from their air monitor data in Lesson 2.
Students can research climate change and how it exacerbates impacts on environmental justice communities.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

Standards

Resource Type and Format