Soils at the Nexus of Biogeochemical Cycles: Solutions for Climate Change

September 25 - December 4, 2023

Course Overview

This course is designed for current high-school science teachers interested in learning about soils and their role in global biogeochemical cycles as well as nature-based climate interventions.

Each session will include a concise presentation from a CSU faculty member on the topic listed below and a laboratory hands-on exercise directly linked to the lecture topic. Teachers will be expected to develop a lesson plan based on the content of the course.

The final session will conclude with teacher presentations of the full unit/lesson plans covering the concepts presented in the previous weeks. The course will require pre- and post- session homework.

Image centered on a box that holds soil sensors, with batteries and a display. The box is on a post with a cord and is being driven into the ground by two people, a man with a cowboy hat and a woman with a ball cap. Image credit University of Wyoming

Understand

Understand biogeochemical, soil science and climate change concepts and incorporate them into lesson plans.
Exercises

Share soils, biogeochemistry, and climate change laboratory exercises with students to improve scientific understanding and practice.
Develop Lessons

Develop a unit of instruction designed to teach soil biogeochemistry and climate change concepts to high school students.