Peer Review

Climate Education

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Apr 7, 2025 by Teacher Education

Bookmark

Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

This hub on Climate Education on OER Commonsis a comprehensive library of educational resources focused on climate change and related topics. It aims to provide equitable access to information, particularly for underrepresented communities, The hub includes curated collections for various educational levels, from elementary to higher education, and features contributions from diverse voices in the climate conversation.

The purpose of the Climate Commons hub is to provide free and openly licensed educational resources about climate change and related intersectional topics to a global audience, with a focus on equitable access and customization. The core mission is to address the information gap by providing resources to those who may lack access, including people in rural areas, international educators and scholars, and underrepresented communities by offering materials under open licenses that allow free sharing and customization.

Type of Material:

Learning Object Repository

Recommended Uses:

Recommended Uses of the Climate Education Hub Materials

Curriculum Development: The open licensing allows them to adapt and modify materials to fit their specific curriculum needs and student context.
Supplementing Existing Materials: Educators can use the hub to find supplementary resources to enhance their existing teaching materials. This could include videos, articles, activities, or assessments.
Differentiated Instruction: teachers can find materials appropriate for different learning levels and styles within their classrooms.
Creating Culturally Relevant Instruction: The ability to customize resources allows teachers to incorporate local examples, case studies, and perspectives.
Self-Directed Learning: Students can use the hub to explore climate change topics of interest to them, either independently or as part of assigned coursework.
Research Projects: The resources can support student research projects on various aspects of climate change.
Developing Climate Literacy: Learners can use the hub to build their understanding, becoming more climate literate citizens.

Suggested Uses with Examples

Team-Based Projects & Collaborative Learning For example, the Middle School Climate Education Collection, curated by OER Commons, provides structured activities that encourage students to work together on climate data analysis, sustainability action plans, and awareness campaigns.
Engaging Classroom Discussions & Climate Debates materials in the hub can facilitate interactive classroom discussions and debates. One example, Media Constructions of Sustainability: Food, Water & Agriculture, authored supports media literacy by helping students assess credibility, framing, and bias in climate reporting. Instructors can assign different resources, such as case studies or documentary analyses, to student teams, guiding them in evaluating perspectives on sustainability and climate policy.
Independent Research & Homework Assignments Many resources in the hub, including Climate Resilience Toolkit by NOAA, are well-suited for independent study and take-home assignments. Educators can assign sections of climate-related toolkits, reports, or open-access articles for students to explore on their own.
Lecture & Course Integration in Formal Education The hub also includes resources that can be embedded into lectures, science curricula, and interdisciplinary courses. For instance, the UNESCO Office for Climate Education Resources, provides adaptable lesson plans and supplemental readings for climate science instruction. Teachers can integrate these materials into existing environmental science, geography, or policy courses, enhancing lessons with real-world climate data and case studies.
Self-Paced Learning & Online Exploration Students interested in self-directed learning can explorerResources like the Elementary Climate Education Collection. Other resources in the hub may include digital simulations, quizzes, and multimedia content that support independent exploration of key climate concepts.
Community Engagement & Climate Literacy Workshops Beyond classroom settings, the hub offers materials that support community education, sustainability initiatives, and public awareness campaigns. Resources like those found in the Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network Collection, developed by CLEAN (Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network), can help educators, NGOs, and advocacy groups design public workshops, training sessions, or local sustainability programs.

Technical Requirements:

Internet access and a web browser
Basic computer literacy
Ability to navigate digital platforms, hyperlinks, images and videos
Understanding how to download and open different file formats (usually PDF)
Basic skills in using digital tools like highlighting, bookmarking, and searching within texts

Identify Major Learning Goals:

Overall Goals for the Hub

Developing Climate Literacy: Users will develop climate literacy, which includes the ability to understand and communicate about climate change and its related issues. This encompasses understanding scientific concepts, assessing information critically, and making informed decisions.
Exploring Intersectional Issues: Users will explore the connections between climate change and other important topics, such as social justice, public health, agriculture, economics, and engineering. They will understand how climate change intersects with and affects these areas.
Building Solutions and Taking Action: Users will learn about potential solutions to climate change, including mitigation strategies (reducing emissions) and adaptation strategies (preparing for the impacts). They will be empowered to take action in their own lives and communities.
Promoting Critical Thinking: Users will develop critical thinking skills related to evaluating climate change information, recognizing misinformation, and understanding the complexities of the issue.
Fostering Collaboration: The open licensing of the resources promotes collaboration and sharing of knowledge among educators, learners, and communities.
Empowering Learners and Educators: The hub aims to empower learners to engage with climate change information and empowers educators to adapt and use the resources effectively in their teaching.

Specific Learning Goals for Learners:

1. Understanding Climate Science Through Interdisciplinary Learning

By engaging with Climate Change: Cross-Curricular Math, English, Science Lesson, learners will explore the scientific causes and effects of climate change. Through interdisciplinary lessons, they will connect argumentation in English, mathematical modeling of climate data, and biological analysis of environmental impact to develop a well-rounded perspective on climate issues.

2. Enhancing Critical Thinking Through Media Analysis and Debates

Using Media Constructions of Sustainability: Food, Water & Agriculture, learners will assess how climate issues are framed in media. They will critically evaluate different sources, debate climate policies, and identify bias in environmental reporting, strengthening their ability to differentiate between credible science and misinformation.

3. Conducting Independent Research on Climate Solutions

With guidance from The Climate Toolkit, learners will engage in self-directed research on climate solutions, sustainability strategies, and global environmental policies. They will compile their findings into structured reports or presentations, developing research and communication skills essential for climate advocacy.

Learning Goals for Educators:

4. Integrating Climate Science into Course Curricula

Through UNESCO Office for Climate Education Resources, educators will incorporate climate-related topics into structured lesson plans and lectures. By embedding real-world climate data into environmental science, geography, and sustainability courses, teachers will equip students with evidence-based knowledge to understand and address climate change.

5. Facilitating Community Engagement and Climate Literacy Workshops (Applicable to Both Learners and Educators)

Utilizing Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network Collection, educators, NGOs, and community leaders will design and facilitate climate education workshops. These sessions will empower individuals and local organizations with the knowledge needed to engage in sustainability initiatives, promote energy conservation, and advocate for climate policies at a grassroots level.

Target Student Population:

Grade School, Middle School, High School, College General Ed, College Lower Division, College Upper Division, Graduate School, Professional, Pre-K

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

Overall Prerequisite Skills

Reading Comprehension: Learners need strong reading comprehension skills to understand the information presented in the resources.
Critical Thinking Skills: The ability to evaluate information critically, identify biases, and distinguish between facts and opinions is important, especially when dealing with complex topics like climate change.
Research Skills (Potentially): Depending on how learners are using the resources, basic research skills (e.g., formulating questions, searching for information, citing sources) may be helpful.

Specific Skills by Target Audience

Grade School (Pre-K – Elementary)

Students should have a basic understanding of nature, weather, and simple cause-and-effect relationships. Early digital literacy, such as clicking on interactive elements, and the ability to follow guided discussions will help them engage with the materials.

Middle School

Learners should have foundational knowledge of ecosystems, weather patterns, and human environmental impact. Basic math and graph interpretation skills will be useful for data analysis, while early research and media literacy skills will help them evaluate sources and participate in discussions.

High School

Students should be familiar with climate science concepts like the greenhouse effect and sustainability. Algebra and statistics skills will support data interpretation, and critical thinking is necessary for evaluating case studies, debating climate policies, and conducting independent research.

College General Ed & Lower Division

A broad understanding of environmental science, climate policy, and sustainability is recommended. Learners should be able to analyze climate resilience reports, interpret data, and engage in discussions on mitigation strategies. Independent study skills and public speaking abilities will be beneficial for coursework and presentations.

College Upper Division & Graduate School

Students should have advanced knowledge of climate modeling, policy frameworks, and environmental economics. Research skills, data analysis, and the ability to synthesize multiple sources of information are necessary for coursework, thesis projects, and policy evaluations.

Professionals & Educators

Educators and professionals should have curriculum development skills to integrate climate content into lessons or training programs. Knowledge of sustainability policies, digital tools for climate education, and public engagement techniques will be essential for leading workshops and advocacy efforts.

Content Quality

Rating:

Strengths:

Outstanding features of the quality of this learning material are that the core concepts relate to climate change, its causes, impacts, and the need for education and action are scientifically valid and widely accepted. The value of climate change education is also well-established. The organizational structure by educational level and subject area is a valid way to categorize and present educational materials and the general principles of OER and equitable access are supported by research in education.

Interdisciplinary Approach – The materials integrate climate science with subjects like math, geography, policy, and media literacy, making them adaptable to various curricula and learning levels.
Evidence-Based Content – Resources are sourced from reputable organizations such as NOAA, UNESCO, and CLEAN, ensuring scientifically accurate, research-backed, and up-to-date climate information.
Engaging & Interactive Resources – The hub includes multimedia elements such as videos, interactive simulations, self-paced modules, and real-world case studies to enhance engagement and cater to different learning styles.
Customizability & Flexibility – Materials are designed to be easily adapted for different educational levels, from elementary to graduate school, allowing educators to modify content to fit specific classroom needs.
Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving Focus – Many resources emphasize inquiry-based learning, encouraging students to analyze climate data, evaluate arguments, and propose sustainable solutions.
Real-World Applications – The content connects theoretical knowledge to real-world climate issues, offering practical examples, sustainability action plans, and community engagement resources.
Open-Access & Free Availability – As part of the OER Commons platform, the materials are openly licensed, allowing unrestricted access for learners, educators, and community members globally.
Collaboration & Group Learning Support – Many resources are structured to promote teamwork, discussions, and project-based learning, fostering collaboration in classrooms and community initiatives.

Concerns:

Assumed Prior Knowledge – Some materials, especially those aimed at higher education levels, may assume familiarity with complex scientific, statistical, or policy-related concepts, making them less accessible for beginners or interdisciplinary learners.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:

Strengths:

The potential effectivess of the site is excellent. The learning goals are readily apparent: finding, adapting, and sharing climate change education materials. By providing access to a wide range of multimedia resources, the hub has a strong potential to increase student learning about climate change. The diverse resources available support differentiated instruction, enabling teachers to create effective assignments for students of all learning styles and levels. The hub supports inquiry-based learning about climate change by offering a range of formal and informal curricular materials exploring climate science, impacts, and solutions.

Specifically:

Standards-Aligned Curriculum – Many resources align with educational standards such as Common Core, NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards), and UNESCO frameworks, ensuring their relevance in formal education settings.
Interdisciplinary Integration – The materials blend climate science with subjects like mathematics, English, social studies, and media literacy, making it easier for educators to incorporate climate education across multiple disciplines.
Inquiry-Based & Critical Thinking Focus – Many resources encourage students to analyze data, evaluate arguments, and engage in problem-solving activities, fostering independent thinking and deeper learning.
Varied Teaching Formats – The hub provides diverse instructional formats, including lesson plans, case studies, interactive activities, and multimedia content, accommodating different teaching styles and classroom needs.
Customizability & Adaptability – Educators can modify lesson plans, activities, and assessments to suit different grade levels, learning environments, and student abilities, making the materials highly flexible.
Engaging, Real-World Applications – Case studies, sustainability projects, and real-world climate scenarios allow students to connect theoretical concepts with practical climate solutions, increasing engagement and retention.
Collaborative & Group Learning Support – Many resources promote teamwork through project-based learning, discussions, and debates, fostering communication and cooperative problem-solving skills.
Accessibility & Open Licensing – As open educational resources (OER), the materials are freely accessible to educators and learners worldwide, eliminating cost barriers and encouraging widespread adoption.

Concerns:

Minimal Guidance for Educators – Some resources provide content without detailed instructions on implementation, leaving educators to determine how best to integrate the materials into their curriculum.
Limited Assessment & Evaluation Tools – Many resources lack built-in quizzes, structured assessments, or progress tracking, making it difficult for educators to measure student understanding and learning outcomes effectively.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:

Strengths:

The hub is mostly accessible and easy to use. It is designed to be versatile and adaptable. The open licensing allows for customization and integration with existing curricula, making it highly flexible for achieving diverse learning goals.The categorization by educational level and subject area further enhances its usability for various purposes. The site is robust and streamlined; easy to navigate. The site is robust enough to be used for formal classroom instruction, self-directed learning, research projects, professional development, and community outreach.

Specifically by category:

Intuitive Navigation & Organization – The Climate Education Hub is structured with clearly categorized resources, making it easy for educators and learners to locate relevant materials. Search and filtering options further enhance usability.
Diverse Learning Formats – The platform offers a mix of text-based resources, interactive modules, videos, and toolkits, allowing for different learning styles and instructional needs.
Adaptability Across Educational Levels – Materials are designed for various audiences, from elementary to higher education and professional development, making it versatile for different learning environments.
Direct Access to Open Educational Resources (OERs) – Users can access a wide range of freely available climate education materials without subscription barriers, promoting accessibility and inclusivity.
Educator-Focused Support – Many resources include case studies, discussion prompts, and activity guides, making it easier for instructors to integrate them into their curricula with minimal adaptation.
Cross-Disciplinary Application – The hub features resources that connect climate education with subjects like math, English social sciences, enabling etc

Creative Commons: