Free Curriculum and Resources
Climate Change |
|
Climate Change and the Water Cycle
10-hour Unit Target audience: 6th-12th Grade Students
|
Increased temperatures and altered precipitation will make water, a limited resource in the arid southwestern United States, even scarcer in many locations. With the aim of fostering climate literacy in our future citizens, we partnered with the USDA Southwest Climate Hub to create an engaging, fun, and scientifically rigorous education unit that is aligned with Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards. |
|
|
The Effects of Climate Change on Agricultural Systems
5-hour Unit Target Audience: 6th-12th Grade Students
|
As the climate changes, increased temperatures and extreme events are predicted in the southwestern United States, which could impact crop productivity and food security. We partnered with the USDA Southwest Climate Hub to design an engaging, fun, and scientifically rigorous education unit aligned with Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards. |
|
|
Climate Change and the Carbon Cycle
3-hour Unit Target Audience: 9th-12th Grade Students
|
This unit was designed to introduce 9-12th grade students to climate change, the carbon cycle, and the effects of increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide on Earth’s climate. We partnered with the USDA Southwest Climate Hub to design this rigorous high-school level education unit aligned with Common Core State Standards and the three dimensions of the Next Generation Science Standards. |
|
|
Where’s Our Water?Water Conservation in the Southwest
45-minute Lesson Target Audience: 6th-8th Grade Students
|
In this standalone lesson, students will interpret graphs to explore the causes of water shortages in the Southwestern United States and predict future conditions. They watch a video about traditional and current water conservation methods and then design, build, and test their own water conservation system. This lesson can be completed in-class, remotely, or as a homework assignment with suggested modifications. |
Mini Data Jam – Middle and High School Data Challenge
Target Audience: 6th-12th Grade Students
Challenge your science, math, and creative skills! In this Mini Data Jam, we explain how to find trends in real scientific data and then turn your data trends into songs, models, crafts, and more to communicate your findings to others.
Three Lesson Module: Students Using LandPKS to Share Data, Information, and Knowledge
Target Audience: 5th-8th Grade Students
Students participate in hands-on activities that introduce them to soil indicators. Working in groups, learners collect data on soil properties, land cover, and other characteristics of one or more sites in the schoolyard or local area. They then use the data they collected to generate Land Capability Classifications (LCCs) using the LandPKS app. Finally, students apply their new knowledge of LCCs to design a possible solution to a land management dilemma.
To ensure adherence with best pedagogical practices and educational standards, lessons are aligned with Next Generation Science Standards for grades 5 – 8 in the U.S. The concepts and activities are also relevant for older students and adults.
Glimpse of the Chihuahuan Desert
Target Audience: 4th-5th Grade Students
This 4th and 5th grade, English and Spanish language activity guide was developed by the Asombro Institute for Science Education. The seven hands-on activities are designed to accompany the bilingual book Glimpse of the Chihuahuan Desert by retired teacher and Asombro volunteer Patricia Mihok.
Every activity includes a teacher’s guide (with background information in both English and Spanish), Spanish student worksheets, English student worksheets, and answer keys with sample data. Activities are aligned with Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core State Standards. Asombro hosts teacher workshops and loans kits of supplies to teachers who would like to implement the activities with their classes. Please contact the Asombro office for more information.
Pre- and Post-Field Trip Activities
Access our teacher’s handbook and student workbook for field trips by clicking the links below. The teacher handbook includes background information, pre-field trip activities, and post-field trip activities.
3RD – 5TH GRADE
Teacher’s Handbook (PDF)
Student Workbook (PDF)
6th – 8th Grade
Teacher’s Handbook (PDF)
Student Workbook (PDF)