Embedded Files
These stand-alone investigations can be used by teachers of any curriculum, but they are also designed to complement Mi-STAR units.
Suggested Classroom Use: Use the Meteorologist or Science Communicator lesson with Unit 8.7.
What can students do to help right now? A good ending to this unit is for students to join the fight and participate in climate restoration. The Foundation for Climate Restoration offers programs for youth leaders and also offers speakers for classroom experiences.
Geology student Alexandria Bowman discusses why she decided to study geology She also talks about her research on mercury contamination. Includes a video (2:08), teaching tips, and support materials for use with students.
Suggested classroom use: Have students complete this student guide.
In this 50-minute lesson, middle school students, as scientists and engineers, evaluate and compare fuels, including alternative ethanol-based fuel, E15, used by NASCAR. Students work together to answer the driving question: How do we evaluate if a fuel is better for the environment?
Suggested Classroom Use: Ask students to reflect on science and engineering careers related to this lesson.
Read this "Science News Explores" article (readability score: 6.8) about three different scientists who study frozen worlds - ice cores in glaciers, ice on Jupiter's moon Europa, and snowflake science. Provide an email address and get free resources.
Note: Due to the length of this article, you may want to direct students to read the introduction and the "Tiny bubbles, big answers" section, since it is most closely related to this unit.
Suggested classroom use: Have students answer these classroom questions before, during, and after reading. (Note: Teachers must provide an email address to register for free access to the questions.)
Read this "Science News Explores" article (readability score: 8.1) about new ways to keep cool without worsening greenhouse gas emissions.
Note: Due to the length of this article, you may want to the entire class to read the introduction and then assign a group to read each section of the article and report back to the class.
Suggested classroom use: Instruct each group to pay attention to which careers are mentioned in the article. Ask them to brainstorm other careers that might be involved in solving this problem.
Have students answer these classroom questions before, during, and after reading. (Note: Teachers must provide an email address to register for free access to the questions.)
This is a newscast (4:55) showing another form of carbon capture using algae farming.
Suggested Classroom use: Can be used as another method of carbon capture students can research. Promotes discussion for farming more responsibly to mitigate climate change. Students can compare and contrast both methods and the engineering involved.
This company removes carbon dioxide from the air and uses it to make calcium carbonate (limestone) to be used in construction materials. It's called Direct Air Capture (DAC). Check out Blue Planet in this video! (1:47)
Suggested Classroom Use: Use this as an anchor for a lesson on what students can do to help mitigate climate change. Promotes discussion for scientists and engineers involved in creating industry to help capture carbon, a greenhouse gas.
Students may not be aware of how urban planning of cities affects the environment where different people live. This video (3:33) explains the topic of environmental justice which involves careers that combine environmental science, law, and the social sciences.
Suggested classroom use: For students who aren't particularly science-minded, this offers another option for students interested in social justice careers and promotes excellent discussion for integrated careers in which many topics are connected.
This Australian website includes a 58-second video featuring careers to fight global warming, as well as brief descriptions of each career and links for further exploration.
Suggested classroom use: Have each student select a career and complete this graphic organizer.
This collection of articles looks at how people can change their lifestyles, technologies, and choices to live on a changing Earth while improving their health and saving money, too.
Suggested classroom use: Ask students to select an article to read and list careers that are mentioned in the article, as well as brainstorm related careers.
Do you only have a few minutes available? Show one of the short videos below as a warm-up or when there are only a few minutes of class time left.
Utilize one of the suggested reflection forms below with students to increase engagement.
Use this Career Connections Video Student Reflection Guide to engage your students!
Use this LINK video reflection resource to help students focus.
Use this graphic organizer from education.com. Ask students to research any information that isn't provided in the video.
Teachers need to create a free account to access the organizer.
A Scientists Life in 99 Seconds: Climate Scientist Katie Ricke
Learn how climate scientist Katie Ricke uses models to help with decision-making related to climate change in this video (1:51). You can also read the full interview here.
In this video (1:55), learn how physical oceanographer Sarah Purkey studies the role of oceans in counteracting global warming through two different programs, Argo and GO-SHIP. Click here to read the full interview.
Meet Daniel Wangpraseurt, a marine biologist. He researches new ways to help coral reefs survive a changing climate. Learn more in this video (1:54). You can read the full interview here.
Watch this video (1:54) to meet glaciologist Helen Amanda Fricker. She uses data from satellites to study the melting of ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland and the impact on sea levels. You can also click here to read the entire interview.
The field of environmental science is growing faster than average. In this video (1:34), various environmental scientists talk about their field and the different options of sectors to work in.
Meet a building scientist who designed a house in California that is always 70 degrees, even without air conditioning. Learn more about the sustainable house in this video (2:29).
Meet a NASA engineer who is leading the team for electric flight in this video (1:52).
Sustainable Finance Expert | Curious About Careers
In this short video (2:00), Marylin Waite explains how she tackles climate change by working with different corporations.
This video (2:38) features Aindrila Mukhopadhyay, a microbiologist at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. She tells us about the research team that she leads to investigate the best ways to use microbes to convert plants into biofuels. Also, learn about the skills she uses in her job.
This video is available in both English and Spanish audio, along with corresponding closed captions. Discussion questions and teacher background resources are also available.
Teacher Note: This video is also linked in Unit 6.2.
This video from Working Nation is part of the "I want that job series." It highlights two jobs related to recycling used oil: clinical lab technologist and oil services driver/sales rep. Learn more here (2:45).
This is another video from Working Nation's "I want that job series." It highlights two jobs related to recycling asphalt: a quality assurance administrator and vice president of operations. Learn more here (2:52).
Research Links:
Page updated
Report abuse