"Climate Action" Virtual Youth Forum for Remote and/or Indigenous Communities
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!
- Jan 25 @ 1pm EST: Kickoff Event with Megan & Olivia, IUCN Youth Ambassadors! > Click here to register
- Climate Change 101 Workshop: This (optional) course designed for grades 7-12 by 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: Carbon dioxide. It’s a problem. One that’s really hard to fix, especially for kids who don’t even have a say over the thermostat! What’s a kid to do?! The answer is: FIX STUFF. The best way to prevent carbon emissions is to reduce the amount of stuff being made, and shipped. And what better way to do that than to see ways to fix broken toys, tools and more with a tiny bit of know-how!
Learn more about Science North
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
Learn more about GreenLearning
Workshop Description: There are aliens among us! While it’s true that some of them are small and green and others wiggly and slimy, they aren’t from distant worlds but rather other ecosystems on our own planet. Together, we will explore and compare two invasive alien species in Canada – one who is munching through the Boreal Forest and another who is clawing away at our coastlines.
Materials/Prep:
- Students need paper & writing utensils
- Extra internet-enabled devices are encouraged
Learn more about The Discovery Centre
Workshop Description: Join Water Walker Tasha Beeds in a workshop that explores the grief of the Water through story. Participants will learn how colonization has impacted not only people, but all of Creation and the ways in which Indigenous knowledges, intellectual legacies and story bundles can help people as we move through the unprecedented changes humanity is facing.
Materials/Prep:
- Before the workshop, we recommend reading “The Water Walker” by Joanne Robertson
Learn more about Tasha Beeds & The Water Walkers
Workshop Description: Testing the Waters will engage students in the exploration of their local water’s health. This workshop will equip students with the skills needed to understand how and why to conduct tests for pH, Hardness, Alkalinity, Conductivity, and Total Dissolved Solids using kits from Water Rangers. These water quality testing kits will be provided FREE to each participating class prior to the workshop (see below).
Materials/Prep:
- Water Rangers Test Kit.
Thanks to 3M and Water Rangers, we are able to provide participating classes with a FREE Education Testkit (worth $550!). Request yours now!
> Register to attend this workshop
Learn more about Water First
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
> Registration coming soon
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 Sessions & Resources
- Jan 19 @ 6-6:30pm EST – PD Meet & Greet
More info about how the Youth Forum will work and how we can help!
> Watch the recording (20min – you can skip the introductions between 12:16-15:34)
> Check out the slides for details - Feb 17 @ 6-6:30pm EST – Café Chat
Check in on how it’s going and discuss next steps for taking action with your students! - PLUS: LSF Teacher PD Package full of strategies, tools & resources for engaging your students in climate learning
Coming soon!
Feedback Form
We encourage students & teachers to offer feedback on each workshop using our form!
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
