Climate Change Lab for Elementary Students
Pilot Project Grant Request
Introduction
Storm Surge, Inc., Newburyport’s local non-profit dedicated to tackling climate change through science-based outreach, education, and community events, is requesting support for a pilot collaboration with Change is Simple, a nonprofit which provides sustainability and climate education programs woven into core curriculum for elementary and middle schools through hands-on learning. Change is Simple delivers its programming on-site through its customized mobile laboratory program, Sustainability & Climate Innovation Learning Lab (SCiLL).
Storm Surge was founded as the threat to our coastline from sea-level rise became a recurring problem to our community. To address the coastal issues of climate change, we promote science-based outreach and education. Over the past decade, Storm Surge has created original-content videos for use by schools that merge climate science and local environmental concerns. Our pilot collaboration with Change is Simple is a vital next step to engage the next generation in understanding and effectively addressing our rapidly changing environment through innovative climate change education.
Need
The pilot program will engage Newburyport’s Francis T. Bresnahan Elementary School Grade 2 and Edward G. Molin Upper Elementary School Grade 4. Each school strives to provide an innovative and comprehensive educational experience, aligning with the Massachusetts science curriculum standards. While the curricula address fundamental scientific concepts, each lacks specific focus on climate change and sustainability, crucial for shaping informed and proactive future citizens. The National Center for Science Education and various educational reports highlight Massachusetts' minimal inclusion of climate education in elementary standards. This gap leaves our students without the crucial awareness and understanding of environmental sustainability that is critical in today’s rapidly changing world.
The effectiveness of SCILL in enhancing climate literacy and environmental awareness has been validated by third-party research, including studies conducted by Northeastern University. The program's impact at other elementary schools has shown significant improvement in students' understanding and enthusiasm for science and environmental topics.
Program Description
Storm Surge supports a one-day pilot collaboration with Grade 2 teacher, Katara Harding, and Grade 4 STEM teacher Kristen Daigle with Change is Simple’s mobile laboratory program, Sustainability & Climate Innovation Learning Lab (SCiLL), to enhance the standard science education curriculum. Each grade will engage in their respective one-day pilot.
The SCiLL program is a mobile laboratory that aligns with Massachusetts Curriculum Standards. It allows students to study sustainability, biodiversity, and pollution through hands-on activities related to natural resources, renewable energy, and the impacts of human activities on ecosystems. The SCiLL curriculum, in collaboration with classroom teachers to supplement existing curricula with relevant and effective lessons, serves to not only meet but exceed state standards by incorporating vital sustainability and climate education.
The effectiveness of SCILL in enhancing climate literacy and environmental awareness has been validated by third-party research, including studies conducted by Northeastern University. The program's impact at other elementary schools has shown significant improvement in students' understanding and enthusiasm for science and environmental topics. The results of this pilot program will be discussed at a post-program Storm Surge lecture for area teachers and the general community.
Program Objectives and Goals
In Grade 2, students start to look beyond the structures of individual plants and animals to look at the environment in which the plants and animals live as a provider of the food, water, and shelter that the organisms need. They learn that water is found everywhere on Earth and takes different forms and shapes. They map landforms and bodies of water and observe that flowing water and wind shapes these landforms.
In Grade 4, students interpret patterns of change over time as related to the deposition and erosion in landscape formation. They study today’s landscapes to provide evidence for past processes. They work through the engineering design process, focusing on developing solutions by building, testing, and redesigning prototypes to fit a specific purpose.
The objectives include:
Enhance Understanding of Earth’s Systems: Through interactive lessons, students will learn about the consequences of natural and human-induced changes in landforms and ecosystems.
Develop Scientific Inquiry and Problem-Solving Skills: SCiLL Lab activities encourage students to ask questions, define problems, and engage in experiments, promoting critical thinking and scientific inquiry.
The goals include:
Empower Students with Practical Knowledge: Equip students with practical skills and knowledge through interactive learning, focusing on critical environmental issues like energy conservation, biodiversity, and sustainable practices.
Foster Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking: Promote an inquiry-based learning environment where students ask questions, formulate responses, and engage in problem-solving activities that mimic real-world scientific and environmental challenges.
Instill a Lifelong Commitment to Environmental Stewardship: Through early education on climate change and sustainability, encourage a lifelong commitment to environmental responsibility.
Demonstrate Benefits to Science Education Through Community Engagement: Storm Surge, in collaboration with Ms. Harding and Ms. Daigle, will promote the benefits of this curriculum enhancement with the goal of encouraging a broader partnership through additional programming with the Newburyport School District. Building on this, we will host Aisling O’Grady from the MIT Climate in Action through Education in the Spring of 2025.
Program Cost
SCiLL Lab for 2nd grade, inclusive of staff and materials: $2,000
SCiLL Lab for 4th grade, inclusive of staff and materials: $2,000
Post-Program lecture, marketing, materials, and admin fees: $ 500
Total Cost: $4,500
Funding Request
Each gift raised will be matched through a $2,000 Challenge Grant provided through the generosity of an anonymous donor and Storm Surge.
Please consider doubling your tax-deductible gift through this Challenge Grant!
All donors will be acknowledged (by name or anonymously, as advised) on our website and on the post-pilot program lecture materials. Corporate donors will also be invited to have their logo included.
Thank you to our Donors
As of 11/13/2024 we are well on our way to meeting ouir funding goals. We have raised $4050 and need just $450 more to meet our goal.
We are grateful to our donors:
Anonymous
Ken Ayvazian
Elizabeth Baker
Kathleen Brittan
Constellation Energy
Sarah Hall
Institution for Savings
Cheryl Smith
Storm Surge
Joe Teixeira
