The Effects of Climate Change on Agricultural Systems - 5-Hour Curriculum Unit for 6-12 Grade Students

Welcome! Thank you for your interest in the USDA Southwest Climate Hub’s curriculum unit on Climate Change and the Carbon Cycle. This unit was designed to introduce 9-12 grade students to climate change, the carbon cycle, and the effects of increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide on Earth’s climate. We partnered with the Asombro Institute for Science Education (asombro.org) to design an engaging, fun, and scientifically rigorous education unit aligned with Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards. 

The Effects of Climate Change on Agricultural Systems curriculum unit consists of five activities and was designed to be conducted over five days (or five hours).  Each activity can also stand alone, however, and the unit need not be completed in its entirety.

You may download the entire curriculum at the link below, choose the resources you need from the list below, or click on the day pages in the left column, which contain links to the supporting materials for each activity organized by day taught.

 

To download curriculum:

 

Additional documents:

 

Interested in learning more about teaching these activities?  Please help us organize an educator workshop in your area!  Email information@asombro.org for more information about this opportunity.

 


 

List of educator guides and digital resources by day

 

Day 1 - Farms on the Table: Making Farmland Decisions in a Changing Climate


 

Day 2  - Interacting Adaptations: Trade-Offs in the Agriculture Industry


 

Day 3  - Wilt it be Productive? Modeling an Adaptation to Climate Change


 

Day 4 - Washed Away: Climate Change and Farmland Soil Quality


 

Day 5 - Get Out and Graze (GO AG!): Criollo vs. Angus Cattle in a Changing Climate