Combatting the climate crisis and creating clean energy solutions go hand in hand. The Edward M. Kennedy Institute’s Environmental Pathways program challenges students to consider a path to environmental justice that will work for America’s future.
Climate Policy Research
Students will take part in a jig-saw style activity where they will research a climate policy proposal, gain a deep understanding of their group’s policy, present their policy to the rest of the class, and finish with a short debrief to cement their learning on various climate policies.
Debate and Discussion: Climate and Energy Policy
In this lesson students will examine a pro and con speech about real legislation (the Green New Deal) being discussed in the United States Senate. Students will summarize the speeches, consider their arguments, and use them to enhance their own knowledge of environmental policy.
Climate and Energy Policy Proposals
Students will consider potential policies the United States could implement to combat climate change. Students will watch a short video to gain background knowledge, then examine a list of proposed policies from a real resolution discussed in the Senate, and work in groups to determine which policies are the best.
Background Overview: Climate and Energy Policy
During this lesson students will gain a deeper understanding of the history of climate policy in the United States. Students will read a short summary of United States climate policy and examine two visual sources to consider how climate related legislation has impacted the United States.
Climate and Energy Policy Vocabulary
This resource provides students with useful vocabulary words and definitions regarding climate and energy policy.
Being a Senator: Climate and Energy Policy
During this lesson students will have an opportunity to learn about what it means to be a United States senator. Students will research a real United States senator, consider their various interests, and make decisions about how their senator would vote on real issues facing the country.
Foundations of Civics and Economics
This unit on civics fosters critical thinking skills in students as they engage with topics in government, democracy, and U.S. history, providing comprehensive lesson plans that encourage deep analysis, evaluation, and reflection on the principles and dynamics of civic life.
Civics in Real Life
Civics in Real Life is a simple-to-use resource that ties in to what’s going on today. On this page, updated regularly through the school year, you will find concise resources that explore a civics concept or idea connected to current events. Simply click on the resource to download the PDF and share with your students!
Civics on Call: Classroom-Ready Lessons on Issues of the Day
Civics on Call provides lessons on current news events. The latest lesson is on Containing the Coronavirus. All the lessons contain a fact-based article on the news event, then pose questions for writing and discussion.