"Climate Action" Virtual Youth Forum for ON
Welcome “Climate Action” Youth Forum participants! This page is your home base for all the events, materials & links that are part of this Forum.
Please reach out to samantha@LSF-LST.ca if you have any questions or feedback!
Before You Begin:
We need your help! Before you start the Youth Forum with your class, please have each student fill out our short survey. We need this information for our funders. We can’t continue the Youth Forums without it!
Please forward this link to your students and ask them each to complete it ASAP: www.LSF-LST.ca/forms/cc-student-survey
Get Started!
- Kickoff Event with Gabriella Zappone, Gr 8 student, former Youth Forum participant, & Action Project leader!
- Climate Change 101 Workshop: This (optional) course from our partners at Let’s Talk Science will bring your students up to speed on climate change knowledge before starting the Forum workshops!
Student Workshops
Complete any 4 (or more!) of the following workshops with your students to receive your $500 Action Project grant!
Live Workshops:
All times in Eastern Time.
Remember, all live workshops are recorded so you can catch up if you miss one!
Workshop Description: It’s not too late! Join us and find out what Ocean Wise is doing to help turn the tide on Climate Change. How can we create a wave of positive change in this era of a changing climate? Join an Ocean Wise Educator to discuss simple ways for you to help our oceans and climate recover.
Materials/Prep:
- Pencil and paper for each student
Learn more about Ocean Wise
Workshop Description: Students will be introduced to the basic concepts of climate literacy and gain an understanding of how human activities impact Earth’s living things and natural patterns. They will focus in more detail on the potential of our urban forests and green spaces to combat Climate Change. Students will gain some knowledge about tree structure, tree parts and functions as well as a deeper understanding about the many benefits of urban trees. Students will learn how to measure a tree circumference and use these measurements to calculate carbon storage in trees.
Materials/Prep:
- Please print the activity sheet (1 per student)
- Students should have calculators
Learn more about OakvilleGreen
Workshop Description: In this session we’ll be exploring energy’s journey from generation to consumption. Students will understand where energy loss occurs and what they can do to conserve energy and help to mitigate climate change.
Materials/Prep:
- Students need internet-enabled devices to participate.
Learn more about GreenLearning
Workshop Description: Learn about Canada’s commitments to face the climate change crisis on the global stage and how Parks Canada places across the country are not only helping to reverse its harmful effects, but reacting to them in order to give our beloved native species the best chance of survival.
Materials/Prep:
- Have paper and drawing/colouring materials ready
- Watch the workshop recording
- Check out Parks Canada’s “How To Guide” for starting a monarch garden!
Learn more about Parks Canada
Workshop Description: So you’ve participated in the workshops and learned about all kinds of climate issues… Now what? Our Action Project Planning workshop will show you what an Action Project looks like and help you consider your interests and skills, your sphere of influence, and the root causes of the issue so you can take on the best Action Project ever!
Materials/Prep:
- Please print this worksheet (double-sided) – 1 copy per student
- Internet-enabled devices for Kahoot
Pre-Recorded Workshops:
Available anytime!
Workshop Description: In this session students will explore how we capture and use the wind to generate electrical energy, how wind energy is being used across the country, and how students can support the transition to renewable energies.
Materials/Prep:
- Educator Guide
- Handout (use fillable PDF or print)
- Exit Ticket (use fillable PDF or print)
Workshop Description: In this session, students will explore a circular economic model in relation to the problem of plastic waste in the environment. Through examination of the Plastic Problem and technological solutions to plastic waste, students will feel empowered to address this complex issue and close the loop on plastic.
Materials/Prep:
- Educator Guide
- Handout (use fillable PDF or print)
Workshop Description:
This interactive workshop will explore climate change impacts and solutions through the Climate Atlas of Canada, an engaging online tool for students, researchers, decision-makers, and communities. As an example, we will look at the health impacts of climate change and students will have the opportunity to participate in a “treasure hunt” to find the answers on the site themselves.
Materials/Prep:
- Writing utensil & paper
- Internet-enabled device – 1 per student or shared
Workshop Description:
Students will learn to code a short program in Scratch that will allow them to create a “Choose your own climate adventure” game. They will code questions and answers, animate, and interactions with the program that will help them better understand how the littlest changes in their actions can have an impact. The learning is accessible to all ages and skill levels. This workshop is broken down into two 30-minute recordings.
Materials/Prep:
- Computer/Tablet
- Create a free Scratch account at scratch.mit.edu/join
This project was undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada
Teacher Professional Development Sessions
- Wed, Oct 13 – Professional Development Session #1: Watch the Recording | View the Slides
- Wed, Oct 20 – Professional Development Session #2: Watch the Recording | View the Slides
Feedback Form
We encourage students & teachers to offer feedback on each workshop using our form!
Action Project Grant
Completed all your workshops? Time to request your $500 Action Project grant!
Additional Resources
- Check out our database of over 1,500 curriculum-connected classroom resources on R4R
- Empowering Learners in a Warming World climate change inquiry guide
- Engaging Students in Sustainable Action Projects guide
- Action Project inspiration on Our Canada Project
