Our students have put their hearts and their minds into understanding what we humans can do to help stop climate change. First, they learned about carbon as an element on the periodic table and why it's important: it is part of every living thing on Earth. We touched on what happens to atoms during a chemical reaction. (Baking soda and vinegar produce CO2 because the atoms rearrange and form new molecules.)

Fifth Graders then explored what happens when substances made of carbon--fossil fuels--burn. They learned that each released carbon atom bonds with two oxygen atoms forming CO2. It is a chemical change! They grappled with understanding the Greenhouse Effect...sunlight can go through a glass greenhouse ceiling and walls, but much of the heat stays in. Similarly, CO2 in the atmosphere acts like a glass building that lets sunlight in but traps heat. As human industry increased over the last 150 years, increased CO2 in the atmosphere led to an increase in our average temperatures--Climate Change.

We zoomed in on the negative impact factory farming, human waste, and deforestation have on our climate.. And learned about two other Greenhouse Gases--methane and nitrous oxide. And some of the actions that we can take to interrupt climate change. Students then chose an area of interest and delved into their own independent research. A number of students also tackled new technology to share their learning.

We are very proud of what they have learned, what they have made to share with you and what actions they are taking to help reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. They are citizens who are taking action. They are our future. We could not be more confident in their voices and leadership. Let the youth lead the way!