Introduction
Dive into the world of climate justice and discover the impactful work of activists! Start by researching a climate justice issue that matters to you and learn about key activists. Then, design and code an app on Elementari to share what you've learned. Your app will showcase the issue, explain its causes and impacts, and highlight the work of climate heroes.
Objectives
Students will:
- Research climate justice and explore a specific issue.
- Identify the causes, impacts, and current efforts related to the issue.
- Learn about climate activists and their contributions.
- Code an interactive app that presents your findings in an engaging way.
Code Stories and Games with Elementari
Students will use Elementari's coding platform to design and build their climate justice app. They will create interactive pages, code navigation buttons, and use visual coding blocks to effectively communicate the causes, impacts, and efforts related to climate justice. Elementari makes coding accessible, empowering students to bring their research to life through app design.
New to Elementari? Click on the orange Start button to jump right into the lesson for free. Check out our Getting Started Guide for an overview of how Elementari works with your class. Get started for free for up to 35 student accounts.
Lesson Resources
Coding Concepts Covered
User NavigationStudent Instructions
Complete your research organizer (Edit the Google Doc or download the PDF):
- Fill in details about the climate justice issue: causes, impacts, current efforts, and key statistics.
- Research the climate justice activist: background, contributions, and impact.
Start your research:
- NAACP Environmental & Climate Justice
- 12 Climate Activists Inspiring Us to Fight Climate Change
- Earth Project App
Design a splash screen for your app.
- Add the app title and your name.
Build the main home screen of your app.
- Add navigation buttons such as “Learn More,” “Meet the Activist,” and “Sources.”
- Write a brief intro to the app and its purpose.
Code the buttons now, even though the pages aren’t created yet. You'll finish the code when the pages are ready.
Develop the page on your chosen climate justice issue.
- Duplicate the page.
- Write a summary of the climate justice issue.
- Edit navigation buttons: Cause, Impacts, and Home.
Add a page detailing the causes of the climate justice issue.
- Write about the main causes of the issue.
- Code the button to go back.
Add a page explaining the impacts of the climate justice issue.
- Write about who is affected and the short-term and long-term impacts.
- Code the button to return to the Climate Justice Page.
Design the social profile template for your climate activist.
- Include their name, a brief bio, and hashtags
- Add three social media posts highlighting their contributions.
- Customize the character (or choose another image).
Include your sources (including AI).
- Add at least 1 website link. If using AI, put your prompt.
- Code the link to open for the user.
Finalize the navigation and test your code.
- Add final touches such as images, background music, and animations.
- Test your app to ensure the navigation is correct.
- Submit your completed app for your teacher to publish to the world.
Project Example for Students
Play through this lesson's example project created on Elementari. Use this example to guide and motivate your students.
Standards
CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards (2017)
Algorithms & Programming
3A-AP-13 - Create prototypes that use algorithms to solve computational problems by leveraging prior student knowledge and personal interests.
3A-AP-16 - Design and iteratively develop computational artifacts for practical intent, personal expression, or to address a societal issue by using events to initiate instructions.
ISTE Student Standards
Creative Communicator
6b - Students create original works or responsibly repurpose or remix digital resources into new creations.
6d - Students publish or present content that customizes the message and medium for their intended audiences.
6c - Students communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively by creating or using a variety of digital objects such as visualizations, models or simulations.
Computational Thinker
5a - Students formulate problem definitions suited for technology-assisted methods such as data analysis, abstract models and algorithmic thinking in exploring and finding solutions.
Innovative Designer
4a - Students know and use a deliberate design process for generating ideas, testing theories, creating innovative artifacts or solving authentic problems.
4d - Students exhibit a tolerance for ambiguity, perseverance and the capacity to work with open-ended problems.
4c - Students develop, test and refine prototypes as part of a cyclical design process.
4b - Students select and use digital tools to plan and manage a design process that considers design constraints and calculated risks.
AASL Standards
Inquire
I.A.2 - Recalling prior and background knowledge as context for new meaning
I.B.3 - Generating products that illustrate learning.
I.C.4 - Sharing products with an authentic audience.
About the Designer
Take Action Global is a leading education non-profit committed to climate education for all. Over five years, TAG has served over 4.7 million students and educators from 160+ countries through online learning programs and has supported over 2 million tree plantings.
Learn about more ways to take action for the planet through climate education, sustainability, and global collaboration:
- EarthProject App: free iOS/Android app for youth to track actions, create teams, and see collective impact for the planet
- Climate Action Project: annual Fall online project for global K-12 classrooms
- Climate Action Day: annual online event for global classrooms celebrating climate education as a solution for climate change
- Climate Action Schools: full school program for 100 schools
- Goals Project: annual winter online project for global PreK-University classrooms focused on the UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Coding for Climate: annual March/April project for global K-12 classrooms