Downloadable Curricula

Global Warming & Our Food System:
A Greenhouse Effect Inquiry Lab

Lesson Time
Section 1: 60–75 minutes
Section 2: 60–75 minutes

Overview

The surface of the earth is warmed by the sun’s radiation. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere of the Earth “trap” some of this radiation that would otherwise be released back into space, warming the planet. This is known as the greenhouse effect. Without the greenhouse effect, there would be no life on earth.

• Students will develop a model to explore how the greenhouse effect works in an inquiry-based laboratory activity.
• Students will differentiate between the greenhouse effect, global warming, and climate change.
• Students will also investigate some of the factors that are increasing greenhouse gas emissions and resulting in global climate change such as clearing land for agriculture and raising animals for food.

Environmental Impacts & Our Food System:
Exploring the Evidence

Lesson Time
Section 1: 60–75 minutes
Section 2: 60–75 minutes

Overview

Modern animal agriculture has a pronounced impact on natural resources like land, water, and fossil fuel. Industrialized agriculture or factory farms, along with small farms, produce significant amounts of waste and are inextricably connected to the scale at which humans are able to raise billions of animals each year for food. The sheer number of animals raised for food has sparked concerns about animal agriculture, including the magnitude to which it is polluting our land, air, and water as well as contributing to global climate change.

• For this activity, students will learn how the volume and scale of modern animal agriculture is connected to pollution, depletion, and degradation of natural resources and global climate change.
• Students in small groups will construct an argument supported by evidence that explores a phenomenon related to animal agriculture and the environment.

Food Production & CO2 Equivalents:
Creating a Computational Simulation

Lesson Time
Section 1: 50 minutes
Section 2: 50 minutes
Section 3: 50 minutes

Overview

Global warming can be attributed to an increase in greenhouse gas production. Many people assume that this increase primarily results from the burning of fossil fuels, for instance from cars, but the agricultural industry is actually a major contributor. In this lesson, students will compare the carbon footprint of different types of foods to explore where greenhouse gases are coming from and which foods produce the most emissions.

• Students will use carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) to compare the amount of greenhouse gases released from different processes during food production.
• Students will use a spreadsheet to graph data in order to compare the CO2e for plant-based and animal-based food production.
• Students will then use a formula to calculate the number of miles driven by a typical car for 1 kg of different types of food.

Animal Agriculture & the Environment:
Creating a Computational Representation

Lesson Time
Section 1: 50 minutes
Section 2: 50 minutes
Section 3: 50 minutes
Section 4: 50 minutes

Overview

For this activity, students will learn how computational representations are used to simplify mathematical relationships. Students will research and gather data on the impact that the rise in industrialized farming has on the environment and the far-reaching consequences that animal agriculture has on humans. Students will use these data to create an infographic, a format that uses computational representations in order to visually explain a topic.

• Students will explore different types of infographics and methods for graphically representing data.
• Students will develop a claim based on their research of a topic related to animal agriculture and its effects on humans and the environment.
• Students will locate data that supports their claim and express it graphically, creating at least three computational representations (through pie charts, bar graphs, etc.).

Overview

Animals & Art: The Story Behind a Portrait engages students in learning about the lives of sanctuary animals and representing them as individuals through the creation of original animal portraits.

• Students will create art based on an individual animal’s story to which they feel a personal connection or a sense of inspiration.
• Students will research animal histories as a method of inquiry and basis for art-making on an unfamiliar subject.
• Students will explore the power of images to influence ideas, feelings, and behaviors.

Overview

Animals & Art: The Story Behind a Portrait engages students in learning about the lives of sanctuary animals and representing them as individuals through the creation of original animal portraits.

• Students will create art based on an individual animal’s story to which they feel a personal connection or a sense of inspiration.
• Students will explore animal histories as a basis for art-making and then create artist statements to explain their personal artwork.
• Students will explore the power of images to influence ideas, feelings, and behaviors.

Overview

Animals & Art: The Story Behind a Portrait engages students in learning about the lives of sanctuary animals and representing them as individuals through the creation of original animal portraits.

• Students will create art based on an individual animal’s story to which they feel a personal connection.
• Students will explore animal stories as a basis for art-making and create artist statements to explain their personal artwork.
• Students will analyze components in visual imagery and the power of art to convey messages and shape ideas.