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Introducing Sustainable Intelligence

Theme: 
Air, Energy, Food, Public Spaces, Transportation, Waste, Water
Grade: 
Kindergarten, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Essential questions
What is sustainability?
What impact do our lifestyles and choices have on one another and the environment?
What are some ways we can live in balance with nature and society?
Why is it important to cultivate sustainable intelligence?
What are the conditions that lead to a “tragedy of the commons”?
What is the triple bottom line, and how might it help influence a more sustainable future?

This module includes the following lessons:

Introduction to Sustainability for Elementary Students (Estimated time needed: 40 minutes)
This lesson sets the stage for students to develop sustainable intelligence. They begin by playing an interactive game that illustrates how innocent actions can turn into unsustainable practices that impact everyone and the Earth we call home. Students then watch a video and learn what the term sustainability means and begin exploring specific sustainable and unsustainable things they do at school and at home.

Introduction to Sustainability for Middle School Students (Estimated time needed: 45 minutes)
This lesson sets the stage for students to develop sustainable intelligence. They begin by playing an interactive game that illustrates how innocent actions can turn into unsustainable practices that impact everyone and the Earth we call home. Students then discuss how the game illustrates a concept called the tragedy of the commons. Next, they watch a video and discuss the concept of sustainability. Together, the elements of this lesson help students create a base of understanding from which they can begin to exercise sustainability thinking as they analyze and explore a range of topics and apply what they learn in their everyday lives.

Introduction to Sustainability for High School Students (Estimated time needed: 50 minutes)
This lesson sets the stage for students to develop sustainable intelligence. They begin by playing an interactive game that illustrates how innocent actions can turn into unsustainable practices that impact everyone and the Earth we call home. Students then discuss what the term sustainability means and begin exploring two important concepts: the tragedy of the commons and the triple bottom line. In this way, they create a base of understanding from which they can begin to exercise sustainability thinking as they analyze and explore a range of topics and apply what they learn in their everyday lives.

View the complete text of all Common Core standards supported by the Sustainable Intelligence curriculum. View each lesson for the specific standards covered.

Included Lessons