Climate Change: Become an Earth Helper!

Welcome, Earth Explorers!

Have you ever wondered why Earth is getting warmer or how we can help protect our planet? Climate change happens when Earth's usual temperatures and weather patterns change over a long period of time. Today, Earth is getting warmer mainly because of greenhouse gases released by human activities.

Climate change can affect people, animals, plants, and the places where they live. The good news is that we can learn about climate change and discover ways to help!

During this WebQuest, you will explore educational websites, answer questions, and become an Earth Helper. Get ready to investigate our planet!

Essential Question: How does climate change affect Earth, and what can we do to help?

our mission is to become an Earth Helper!

You will explore three websites to learn about climate change, discover how it affects living things, and find ways to protect our planet.

By the end of this WebQuest, you will:

1. Explain what climate change means in your own words.
2. Identify two effects of climate change.
3. Describe three ways people can help the environment.
4. Create an Earth Helper project to share what you learned.

Your final project can be a poster, a drawing with explanations, or a three-slide Google Slides presentation.

Remember: You do not have to be a scientist to help Earth!

Follow these steps to complete your WebQuest. You may work with a partner or ask your teacher for help reading the websites.

Step 1: Explore Climate Change

Visit NASA's website:
https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/for-kids-and-students/what-is-climate-change-grades-k-4/

Answer these questions:

• What is the difference between weather and climate?
• What does climate change mean?
• Is Earth getting warmer or colder right now?
• What is one cause of climate change?

Step 2: Discover How Climate Change Affects Animals

Visit National Geographic Kids:
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/climate-change

Answer these questions:

• What happens to Arctic ice when temperatures rise?
• How can melting ice affect polar bears?
• Name one other animal or plant that could be affected by climate change.
• Why do animals need a safe place to live?

Step 3: Find Ways to Help Earth

Visit NASA Climate Kids:
https://www.nasa.gov/stem-content/nasa-climate-kids/

Explore the activities and information on the website.

Answer these questions:

• What are two ways you can help Earth at home or school?
• Why is saving electricity helpful?
• How can planting trees help the environment?
• What is one thing our class could do to help the planet?

Step 4: Create Your Earth Helper Project

Choose ONE project:

Option A: Create a poster showing three ways to help Earth.

Option B: Make a three-slide Google Slides presentation about climate change.

Option C: Draw a picture of a healthy Earth and write or tell your teacher how to protect it.

Your project must include:

• One fact about climate change.
• One example of how climate change affects Earth or living things.
• Three ways people can help the environment.
• Pictures, drawings, or other visuals.

Step 5: Share Your Learning

Show your project to your classmates or teacher. Be ready to explain one thing you learned and one action you will take to help Earth.

Before turning in your work, check that you answered the questions and completed your project!

Your work will be graded using the rubric below. The total possible score is 15 points.

What does successful work look like?

• You tried your best to answer the questions.
• You can explain at least one thing about climate change.
• You understand that climate change affects our planet and living things.
• Your project shares ideas for helping Earth.
• You participate and share what you learned.

You may use drawings, oral explanations, or help with reading and writing to show your understanding.

Congratulations, Earth Explorers! You have completed your climate change investigation.

You learned what climate change is, how it can affect animals and plants, and what people can do to help protect our planet. Even small actions, such as turning off lights when they are not needed, reducing waste, and caring for nature, can be part of making a difference.

Before you finish, think about these questions:

1. What was the most interesting thing you learned?
2. What surprised you about climate change?
3. What is one thing you can do to help Earth?
4. Why is it important for people to work together to protect our planet?

Remember, every Earth Helper can make a difference!

The following educational resources were used to create this WebQuest:

1. NASA. "What Is Climate Change? (Grades K–4)." https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/for-kids-and-students/what-is-climate-change-grades-k-4/
2. National Geographic Kids. "Climate Change." https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/climate-change
3. NASA. "NASA Climate Kids." https://www.nasa.gov/stem-content/nasa-climate-kids/

These resources provide educational information about climate change, its effects, and ways to care for our planet.

WebQuest created for first-grade science education.

Grade Level: First Grade

Subject Area: Science and Educational Technology

Unit Topic: Climate Change

Estimated Time: 45–60 minutes

Essential Question: How does climate change affect Earth, and what can we do to help?

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this WebQuest, students will be able to:

1. Explain climate change in their own words.
2. Identify at least two effects of climate change.
3. Describe three actions people can take to help protect the environment.
4. Communicate their learning through a poster, drawing, or digital presentation.

Materials Needed:

• Computer or tablet with internet access
• Teacher-approved websites
• Student science notebooks or worksheets
• Paper, crayons, markers, or Google Slides
• Teacher support for reading and navigating websites

Teacher Preparation:

Preview all websites before the lesson. Make sure students can access the resources, and prepare a way for them to record their answers. Some reading passages may need to be read aloud or explained in simpler language.

Instructional Procedure:

1. Introduce climate change and ask students what they already know about Earth.
2. Explain the difference between weather and climate using simple examples.
3. Guide students through the three website investigations.
4. Provide opportunities for students to work with partners and discuss their discoveries.
5. Have students complete their Earth Helper project.
6. Invite students to share their projects and reflect on their learning.

Differentiation and Accessibility:

• Read directions and website content aloud when needed.
• Provide sentence starters, such as "Climate change means..." and "I can help Earth by..."
• Allow students to respond orally, draw pictures, or use speech-to-text.
• Pair students for collaborative learning.
• Provide extra time or a simplified question sheet for students who need it.
• Offer a digital or paper-based project option.

Assessment:

Use the 15-point rubric in the Evaluation section to assess students' understanding, website responses, proposed environmental actions, and final projects. Focus on students' understanding rather than spelling or artistic ability.

Technology Integration:

Students use digital resources to gather information and communicate their learning. The final Google Slides option also gives students practice organizing ideas and using visuals to share information.

Teacher Reflection:

After the lesson, consider whether students could explain climate change in their own words, whether the resources were age-appropriate, and what additional support or activities may be needed.