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Icebergs play a vital role in global climate stability. In the last 20 years, icebergs have melted at unprecedented rates, changing marine dynamics, the balance of sea levels, and weather patterns. Students analyze images of icebergs from the polar regions through a nature photographer’s unique point of view and explore the themes of bearing witness and climate change.

Increased global consumerism has vast environmental, economic, and social repercussions. Thought leaders across the globe investigate the unsustainable cultural values at the root of modern consumption. In this lesson, students watch a film about the environmental, economic, and social impacts of global consumerism and examine the effects on the global economy.

Millions of Syrian refugees are leaving their war-torn home in search of safety and opportunity in other countries. Those who have suffered the challenges of starting anew can have a powerful impact helping others resettle. In this lesson, students watch a film about a young Syrian refugee and discuss the themes of cultural displacement, human rights, and resilience.

This lesson uses an online building performance data platform to explore how schools use energy, the relationship between energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, and the differences between an average school and a high-performance green school.

Through this lesson, students will determine if the use of composting is a viable way to offset waste; They will conduct a comparative study and research other countries’ efforts to minimize waste and maximize recycling.

Students learn about the complex interactions between Earth’s major systems, as well as how those systems are impacted by human actions. Students participate in a town hall-style meeting to experience the complexity of real-world debate into human impact.