Problem

Climate change and energy supply will be among the most critical challenges today’s young people will face in their lifetimes. Solving them will require a public understanding of how our choices impact the climate system. Yet many people do not understand the connection between their energy use and its impacts, and teaching children and adults about the climate system can be difficult. Educators need help to provide an accurate, engaging message.

The Gift

The Climate Change Backpack provides a brief, down-to-earth introduction to climate change science for middle and high school students. It contains graphs, maps, experiments, group activities, an imitation ice core, a compact fluorescent light bulb, a play, solutions-based props, and a bookmark listing websites for more information. All of the materials fit into a Timberland backpack and are designed to expand or contract according to the audience and available teaching time. An accompanying “Presenters Guide" provides easy-to-use lesson plans tailored to different age levels. NASA’s Earth Science Education Division recommends the Backpack for earth science teachers and informal educators in science museums. Your gift will provide a Climate Change Backpack to a school or science center, and help train an educator on how to use it – building the public awareness and public will required to tackle the challenge of climate change.