New water and climate science lessons empower local students to develop creative solutions to marine debris and climate change
SAN DIEGO, July 3, 2018 — San Diego Coastkeeper and the Port of San Diego have launched a new set of bilingual lessons featuring water and climate science, available for use in local schools. The lessons are the latest addition to Coastkeeper’s Water Education For All program, a standards-aligned K-12 science curriculum available free of cost to San Diego area teachers and informal educators.
Funded by the Port’s Environmental Fund, the new water and climate lessons guide students in learning about how human activities influence the natural world. By participating in the lessons, students learn how to calculate their personal carbon footprint and plastic usage, and are empowered to develop and implement plans to reduce their impact and share outcomes with their families, friends, and communities. The lesson plan is hands-on, inquiry-based, and standards-aligned to help teachers ensure their students achieve Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Common Core State Standards (CCSS).
“We believe that as environmental educators, our job is not only to inform local students of the challenges that face them, but equip them with the tools they need to develop real-life solutions to those challenges,” says Coastkeeper Education Manager Sandra Lebron. “Climate change and plastic pollution are two of the largest issues facing the next generation. By providing students with engaging, locally-rooted science education, we are empowering San Diego’s youth to take the lead in creating a better world for us all.”
The new lessons were piloted at five local schools in the San Diego Bay watershed, where 598 4-8th grade students received water and climate education and learned about how climate change affects the marine, coastal, and intertidal habitats of San Diego Bay. Two of the five schools completed additional carbon and plastic reduction projects. Pre- and post-lesson evaluations showed increases in student understanding about the causes of rising levels of greenhouse gases, the impacts of human activities on the environment, and steps that can be taken to reduce carbon emissions and decrease plastic use.
Teachers interested in utilizing these new water and climate lessons are encouraged to visit https://www.sdcoastkeeper.org/learn/drinkable/water-education-for-all or get in touch with San Diego Coastkeeper Education Manager Sandra Lebrón at [email protected] or 619-758-7743 Ext.125.
For more information about Port of San Diego Environment, visit https://www.portofsandiego.org/environment
###
About San Diego Coastkeeper
Founded in 1995, San Diego Coastkeeper protects the region’s bays, beaches, watersheds and ocean for the people and wildlife that depend on them. Coastkeeper balances community outreach, education, and advocacy to promote stewardship of clean water and a healthy coastal ecosystem. For more information, visit San Diego Coastkeeper online at www.sdcoastkeeper.org.
About the Port of San Diego
The Port of San Diego serves the people of California as a specially created district, balancing multiple uses on 34 miles along San Diego Bay spanning five cities. Collecting no tax dollars, the Port manages a diverse portfolio to generate revenues that support vital public services and amenities. The Port champions Maritime, Waterfront Development, Public Safety, Experiences and Environment, all focused on enriching the relationship people and businesses have with our dynamic waterfront. From cargo and cruise terminals to hotels and restaurants, from marinas to museums, from 22 public parks to countless events, the Port contributes to the region’s prosperity and remarkable way of life on a daily basis. Visit the Port online at www.portofsandiego.org.
