Education

Start here to learn about climate change, how it may influence land management, and what options are open to natural resource managers for responding to these changes. Looking for a course on climate change? Explore the three comprehensive learning modules for an in-depth intro to climate change science, effects, and responses. Interested in a quick look at how climate change affects our nation's forests? Check out the videos at the bottom of the page.

These comprehensive education modules were created using curriculum developed by the Forest Service Climate Change Advisor’s Office, Climate Change Education and Training Team. They give an in-depth introduction to basic climate change science, the effects of climate change on forest and grassland ecosystems, and how we can respond to climate change with management.

Climate Change Science and Modeling

Learn about the climate system, greenhouse gases, climate models, current climate impacts, and future projections.

Section

Education Modules

Background

The CCRC is developing an educational program to provide accessible information on climate change science. Three comprehensive education modules are being created using curriculum developed by the Forest Service.

Complete the first module on Climate Change Science and Modeling by selecting the tab above.

Modules are based on the best available science and have many interactive features, allowing users to take control of their learning experience. There are also opportunities to choose to explore detailed information. Each module has an activity at the end that will let users demonstrate their knowledge, and a certificate will be generated upon completion.

These education modules can be used to satisfy the Forest Service Climate Change Performance Scorecard Element One requirement for all-employee education. To learn more about the Climate Change Performance Scorecard, click here.

The cover of the document Responding to a Changing Climate and its Effects on Forests and Grasslands

The modules are based on a curriculum developed by the Forest Service Climate Change Advisor’s Office, Climate Change Education and Training Team.Responding to a Changing Climate and its Effects on Forests and Grasslandsis an instructional package that can be used by National Forest Service units to implement education and training for all employees.

The first education module,Climate Change Science and Modeling: What You Need to Know, is available on a hard-copy CD-ROM. To order a CD copy of the module, please email pnw_pnwpubs@fs.fed.us or fill out the Pacific Northwest Research Station onlinePublication Request Form and ask for PNW-GTR-902. Anyone is welcome to order copies.

How to Use this Module

Here is some important information before beginning the module:

The module progresses through a series of Next buttons. These buttons do not appear until after the animation and narration is completed for the section.
Navigation is enabled through the Table of Contents on the left-hand side of the screen. However, the Table of Contents only makes it possible to revisit previously viewed slides, not skip forward to new, unseen, material. Viewed slides are indicated by checkmarks.
Clicking on links within the module will open up a new tab or window.
If you are unable to finish the module in one session and need to exit during runtime, then the module does bookmark your place. This makes it possible for you to resume the module in the same section, but only if you restart it on your original viewing device. The module bookmarks your place without using cookies or saving any Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
If you would like to see a text version of the narration, then click on the Closed Caption (CC) button on the module playbar.
The module generates a personalized certificate upon completion of the activity. This certificate can be printed by clicking on the Print button on the module playbar.

Information, Documentation, and Support

Climate Change Science and Modeling: What You Need to Know, Module 1:

Accessibility Features (pdf)

Narration Script (pdf)

Narration Script with Captioned Screenshots (pdf)

List of Hyperlinks (pdf)

If you would like more information on accessibility features or need other accessibility resources, please contact us at ccrc@fs.fed.us.

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Climate Change Science and Modeling

Description

Climate Change Science and Modeling: What You Need to Know is the first education module in a series of three. It gives a brief overview of the climate system, greenhouse gases, climate models, current climate change impacts, and future projections. There is a 14-question activity at the end of the module, and users who complete the activity will receive a printable certificate with their name and the date completed. The expected time commitment for this module is about 20 minutes, plus the activity. Time spent exploring the many outward links and interactive features within the module will be at the user's discretion.

Click here to begin the module.

The first education module, Climate Change Science and Modeling: What You Need to Know, is available on a hard-copy CD-ROM. To order a CD copy of the module, please email pnw_pnwpubs@fs.fed.us or fill out the Pacific Northwest Research Station online Publication Request Form and ask for PNW-GTR-902. Anyone is welcome to order copies.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the climate change science and modeling education module, users should know:

The difference between weather and climate

Main greenhouse gases contributing to climate change

How the greenhouse effect works

The flow of carbon through the carbon cycle

Examples of climate change impacts by region

The components of climate models and the uncertainty associated with models

Emissions scenarios storylines and representative concentration pathways

Examples of projected future climate impacts

The climate change science and modeling activity will help users identify:

Historic temperature changes in their region

Projected temperature changes by mid-century and the end of the century for their region

Current and projected impacts in their region

General differences between high and low emissions scenario projections

Information, Documentation, and Support

Climate Change Science and Modeling: What You Need to Know, Module 1:

Accessibility Features (pdf)

Narration Script (pdf)

Narration Script with Captioned Screenshots (pdf)

List of Hyperlinks (pdf)

If you would like more information on accessibility features or need other accessibility resources, please contact us at ccrc@fs.fed.us.

Printer-friendly version

Education Resources

Other Education Resources

These links are not comprehensive but include some great climate change and other natural resource education materials.

NASA Wavelength (also K-12 education)

National Center for Science Education Climate Change 101

National Research Council, Climate Change: Lines of Evidence videos

Natural Resources Conservation Service

NOAA, Climate.gov (check out the National Climate Assessment Teaching Resources!)

UCAR MetEd

K-12 Education Resources

These links are not comprehensive but include some great climate change and other natural resource education materials for K-12 classroom or informal education.

Climate Change Live

Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network (CLEAN)

Department of Energy

Department of Energy, Office of Fossil Energy

Digital Library for Earth System Education

Earth Science Teacher’s Association, Windows to the Universe

Energy Information Administration

EPA Teacher Resources and Lesson Plans

The Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment Program (GLOBE)

NASA Exploring the Environment, Global Climate Change

NASA Innovations in Climate Education (NICE)

NOAA Education Resources