You can lower your ecological footprint by recycling! Lesson four in this series of five has individuals, through the use of a computer, calculate their ecological footprints. Through discussions and analysis they determine how many Earths would be necessary if everyone lived as they did and they finish by determining ways to lower their footprint. 

Concepts

ecological footprints, carbon dioxide, climate change

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Teachers can join in the fun to calculate their ecological footprints and share with their classes

Classroom Considerations

• The link to the EPA carbon footprint calculator does not work; use this link instead: https://www3.epa.gov/carbon-footprint-calculator/
• Lesson is appropriate for upper level elementary classes as well

Pros

• Lesson provides an alternative way to complete the activity for younger pupils
• Includes worksheets, background information, pre-activity, directions, and extension ideas throughout the lesson

Cons

• None

Common Core

RST.6-8.3