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EDUCATION
Teaching Native CLIMATE
The Native Climate education group will coordinate a Community of Practice (CoP) of K-12 teachers and informal educators across the Intermountain West. The CoP will work collaboratively to adapt climate education resources to be place-based and culturally relevant to Native communities. We will advance the ways that educators and education partners can do place-based learning to support climate resilience at the local and regional levels. This work will integrate with Native Climate’s annual summits and workshops, as well as through opportunities designed specifically for K-12 educators.
Through sharing K-12 climate education modules with Tribes, we aim to foster climate awareness and action among Native American youth, who will be leaders in the ongoing effort to build climate resilience. All resources developed by Native Climate will be shared widely to increase awareness of the impacts of the climate crisis on Native American communities and to encourage respect for Indigenous knowledge and practices among western scientists and the public.
Educator Resources
TEACHING NATIVE WATERS
The Teaching Native Waters program was operated through Native Waters on Arid Lands and provided professional development to educators serving native students. The website includes information about the program and educator resources, including curriculum materials. Click on the title or icon for more information.
Native Climate Curricula
Teaching materials from the Native Climate team, the Teaching Native Waters program, and outside organizations which address the climate crisis
Elementary school
Curricula for grades pre-K to 5. Click on the toggle boxes below for more information about each course.
Traditional Ecological Knowledge
Description:
A series of discussions, readings, and activities teaching students about TEK (Traditional Ecological Knowledge) of the Yurok tribe. Can be adapted to be place-based to your region.
Authors/Producers:
Dr. Seafha Ramos, Science Delivered, Cherie Paul, and Maximiliano Quezada
Next Gen Science Standards:
5-ESS3-1.
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS
Seasonal Storyline
Description:
A series of 10 lessons involving exploring the world around them via “wondering walks”, collecting data from the natural world in order to answer “should we” questions about how we interact with the world. While these lessons are intended for K-2, they could be adapted for a higher grade level.
Authors/Producers:
Learning in Places
Next Gen Science Standards:
K-ESS3-1, KESS3-3, 5-ESS3-1
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS
Salish Sea Playing Cards
Description:
This deck of playing cards was built to include organisms from the Pacific Northwest. Each card contains original artwork that can be used to analyze traits of organisms across different habitats. Each suit corresponds to different ocean habitats, and the increasing numbers represent increasing trophic levels.
Authors/Producers:
Thayne Yazzie
Next Gen Science Standards:
K-ESS3-1, 2-LS2-4, 3-LS4-3, 5-LS2-1, 5-PS3-1
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS
Middle School
Curricula for grades 6-8. Click on the toggle boxes below for more information about each course.
Pueblo Farming Project
Description:
This Ebook includes a series of 5 middle school science lessons that examine traditional Pueblo Indian farming techniques. The Ebook also includes descriptions of the ongoing work of The Pueblo Farming Project, a collaboration between the Hopi tribe and the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center that examines traditional Pueblo Indian farming techniques to help us understand ancient farming in the Mesa Verde region of southwestern Colorado.
Authors/Producers:
The Montezuma School to Farm Project and the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center.
Next Gen Science Standards:
MS-LS1-1, MS-LS3-2, MS-LS1-8, MS-LS1-5, MS-ESS1-1, MS-ESS1-4, MS-PS1-4, MS-PS1-2, MS-PS1-5
Colorado State Science Standards:
1.1, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 2.5, 3.2, 3.3
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS
Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Science and Management
Description:
A series of 6 modules focused on Traditional Ecological Knowledge surrounding fires, forests, water, and fish in Northern California.
Authors/Producers:
Save California Salmon.
Next Gen Science Standards:
MS-ESS3-3 MS-ESS3-4 MS-ESS3-5 MS-LS1-4 MS-LS1-5 MS-LS1-6 MS-LS1-7 MS-LS2 MS-LS3 MS-LS4
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS
Salish Sea Playing Cards
Description:
This deck of playing cards was built to include organisms from the Pacific Northwest. Each card contains original artwork that can be used to analyze traits of organisms across different habitats. Each suit corresponds to different ocean habitats, and the increasing numbers represent increasing trophic levels.
Authors/Producers:
Thayne Yazzie
Next Gen Science Standards:
MS-LS1-6, MS-LS2-2, MS-LS2-1, MS-LS2-3
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS
With Water We Thrive STEAM Curriculum
Description:
Students explore topics related to water, starting at the particle level, then moving to the individual, the local, and finally the global perspective. Students consider water sovereignty and their responsibility in caring for our water. Students are assessed using art activities that relate to what they’ve learned. While the curriculum is currently focused on the Truckee watershed in CA and NV, it can be adapted for any watershed.
Authors/Producers:
Laura Smith-Fillmore, Ileah Kirchoff, Desert Research Institute.
Next Gen Science Standards:
MS-PS1-1, MS-PS1-4, MS-ESS2-2, MS-ESS2-4, MS-ESS2-5, MS-ESS2-6, MS-ESS3-3
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS
High School
Curricula for grades 9-12. Click on the toggle boxes below for more information about each course.
Water Resources in a Warming World
Description:
This community college curriculum includes a series of 10 modules focused on water quality and testing, sustainability planning, climate modeling and change impacts, and green power. While it was designed for the community college level, these resources can also be adapted for the high school level. Readings and supplemental content used in the modules are open-access; neither students nor instructors need to purchase materials for these modules. The material on this page is based upon work supported by USDA under the Women and Minorities in STEM Award 2020-38503-31952.
Authors/Producers:
Dr. Judy Dudley, NIFA, FALCON, Desert Research Institute (Native Waters on Arid Lands)
Next Gen Science Standards:
HS-ESS2-4, HS-ESS3-5, HS-ESS3-1, HS-ESS3-3, HS-ESS3-4, HS-ESS3-6
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS
Terra Prime Blueprint Deck
Description:
A 28 card conversation deck with 2 instruction cards used for study, strategy, or play in the classroom, the board room, or the dinner table. The front of each Blueprint Deck card contains a classical image consistent with the theme of that card. Each theme represents big questions that apply to almost any situation and challenges the user to think differently about a complex problem. Our website is launching with this campaign with a copy of our handbook, which describes strategies for using the deck, including games and ways to record a conversation.
Authors/Producers:
Manuel Montoya
Next Gen Science Standards:
N/A
(Used as a discussion tool for a variety of topics)
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS
AIR QUALITY AND HEALTH
Description:
Students consider how wildfires have influenced human activity (populations and migrations) in the Flathead, MT region. They learn about how smoke can affect the health of humans, and how the respiratory system maintains homeostasis after breathing in smoke. They then create a DIY air filter and consider how it can be used. Note: This curriculum is currently in the planning/pilot phase. Native Climate is working with tribal educators to determine how best to meet the needs of indigenous students in Flathead.
Authors/Producers:
Desert Research Institute
Next Gen Science Standards:
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS
With Water We Thrive STEAM Curriculum
Description:
Students explore topics related to water, starting at the particle level, then moving to the individual, the local, and finally the global perspective. Students consider water sovereignty and their responsibility in caring for our water. Students are assessed using art activities that relate to what they’ve learned. While the curriculum is currently focused on the Truckee watershed in CA and NV, it can be adapted for any watershed.
Authors/Producers:
Laura Smith-Fillmore, Ileah Kirchoff, Desert Research Institute
Next Gen Science Standards:
HS-PS1-1, HS-PS1-3, HS-PS1-4, HS-ESS2-5, HS-ESS3-1, HS-ESS3-2, HS-ESS3-3, HS-ESS3-4
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS
ACCORDION VIEW (top row is open, other titles below will open when you click)
With Water We Thrive
Authors/producers: Laura Smith-Fillmore, Helen Fillmore Ileah Kirchoff, Nevada Arts Council
Description: Students explore topics related to water, starting at the particle level, then moving to the individual, the local, and finally the global perspective. Students consider water sovereignty and their responsibility in caring for our water. Students are assessed using art activities that relate to what they’ve learned. While the curriculum is currently focused on the Truckee watershed in CA and NV, it can be adapted for any watershed.
| Region | Topics | Grade Level | Suggested NGSS |
| Southwest | Molecular Structure of Water, Density Watershed Mapping, Indigenous Waters, Political Activism | Middle, High | MS-PS1-1, MS-PS1-4, MS-ESS2-2, MS-ESS2-4, MS-ESS2-5, MS-ESS2-6, MS-ESS3-3, HS-PS1-1, HS-PS1-3, HS-PS1-4, HS-ESS2-5, HS-ESS3-1, HS-ESS3-2, HS-ESS3-3, HS-ESS3-4 |
Water Resources in a Warming World
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Air Quality and Health
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Climate pop-up art show
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TABLE VIEW
| Title | Author/Producers | Region | Topic | Grade Level | Description |
Suggested NGSS
|
| With Water We Thrive – STEAM Curriculum | Laura Smith-Fillmore, Helen Fillmore Ileah Kirchoff, Nevada Arts Council |
Southwest | Molecular Structure of Water, Density Watershed Mapping, Indigenous Waters, Political Activism |
Middle, High |
Students explore topics related to water, starting at the particle level, then moving to the individual, the local, and finally the global perspective. Students consider water sovereignty and their responsibility in caring for our water. Students are assessed using art activities that relate to what they’ve learned. While the curriculum is currently focused on the Truckee watershed in CA and NV, it can be adapted for any watershed. | MS-PS1-1, MS-PS1-4, MS-ESS2-2, MS-ESS2-4, MS-ESS2-5, MS-ESS2-6, MS-ESS3-3, HS-PS1-1, HS-PS1-3, HS-PS1-4, HS-ESS2-5, HS-ESS3-1, HS-ESS3-2, HS-ESS3-3, HS-ESS3-4 |
| Water Resources in a Warming World | Dr. Judy Dudley, NIFA, FALCON Native Waters on Arid Lands |
Various | Water Characteristics, Weather and Climate, Water Cycles and Watersheds, Climate Models, Water Abundance, Water for Life, Water and Transportation, Water and Energy, Water Quality, Water Regulations |
High | This community college curriculum includes a series of 10 modules focused on water quality and testing, sustainability planning, climate modeling and change impacts, and green power. While it was designed for the community college level, these resources can also be adapted for the high school level. Readings and supplemental content used in the modules are open-access; neither students nor instructors need to purchase materials for these modules. The material on this page is based upon work supported by USDA under the Women and Minorities in STEM Award 2020-38503-31952. | HS-ESS2-4, HS-ESS3-5, HS-ESS3-1, HS-ESS3-3, HS-ESS3-4, HS-ESS3-6 |
| Air Quality and Health | Ileah Kirchoff | Rocky Mountains | Traditional Fire, Air Quality Index, Respiratory System, Homeostasis, Air Filtration, Purple Air Monitor, Health Effects of Smoke |
High | Students consider how wildfires have influenced human activity (populations and migrations) in the Flathead, MT region. They learn about how smoke can affect the health of humans, and how the respiratory system maintains homeostasis after breathing in smoke. They then create a DIY air filter and consider how it can be used. Note: This curriculum is currently in the planning/pilot phase. Native Climate is working with tribal educators to determine how best to meet the needs of indigenous students in Flathead. | HS-ESS3-1, HS-LS1-2, HS-LS1-3 |
| Climate Pop-Up Art Show | Ileah Kirchoff, Crystal Miller, Gina McGuire, Laura Smith-Fillmore |
Various | Various, Research Project |
Middle, High |
This new take on a research project allows students to incoporate climate data, conversations with their elders, and indigenous histories into an artistic creation. This lesson emphasizes student choice, providing several options for topics and for artistic creations. Options can be edited to match the curriculum that is being covered. Student projects can be presented in a pop-up art show, for the class, school site, or community. | Various |