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Education for Sustainable Development Kits

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) empowers learners to take meaningful action for the planet. AGI offers four comprehensive ESD Kits (related to water, energy, consumption, and climate), designed specifically for educators and outreach specialists, to provide resources related to geosciences for sustainability.

Education for Sustainable Development

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) equips young people to not only understand global challenges but also to take action. By integrating SDG concepts, such as resource management and climate action, students develop critical thinking and a sense of responsibility. This approach fosters informed, engaged citizens ready to make a real-world impact for a sustainable future.

ESD Kits

AGI, with the support of SLB, has created a series of ESD Kits designed to support outreach specialists and educators in teaching sustainability concepts. While originally designed for middle school students, these kits are versatile and can be adapted for elementary or high school students with appropriate modifications. Although it is recommended to use the kits in sequence for a comprehensive learning experience, educators have the flexibility to select specific components from the hyperlinked table of contents that best fit their teaching needs.

Each kit is centered around an SDG and includes

  • Hands-on investigations
  • Data analysis activities
  • Technology integration through tools like Scratch or Micro:bit
  • A culminating project

Access to Clean Water

In the “Access to Clean Water” ESD Kit, learners will explore sources and properties of water to understand its vital role in maintaining the health of the Earth and its many environments. This ESD Kit focuses on the Key Concepts of the Targets and Indicators within SDG 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

Investigations included in this ESD Kit:

  1. Water Around Us
  2. Water Movement Through the Environment
  3. Building a Model Watershed
  4. Groundwater Movement and Pollution
  5. Treating Wastewater
  6. Assessing Your Water Footprint
  7. Water Use and Hygiene
  8. Restoring Habitats

Culminating ESD Kit Project: Design a Net-Zero Water Community

Sample Investigation: 4A

Student handout for "Investigation 4A: Groundwater Movement and Pollution" which guides students in modeling how contamination enters groundwater.

Sample Investigation: 4B

Student handout for "Investigation 4B: Groundwater Movement and Saltwater Intrusion" which guides students in modeling saltwater intrusion into groundwater and coastal areas.

Energy in our Lives and Communities

In the “Energy in our Lives and Communities” ESD Kit, learners will explore the nature of energy and the role that it plays in their lives and communities. This ESD Kit focuses on the Key Concepts of the Targets and Indicators within SDG 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

Investigations included in this ESD Kit:

  1. Energy Around Us
  2. Fidget Spinner Generator
  3. Wind Turbine Design
  4. Global and National Energy Consumption
  5. Having Energy When We Need It - Energy Storage
  6. Exploring the Movement of Heat
  7. Cool Building Materials

Culminating ESD Kit Project: Design an Energy Efficient Building

Sample Investigation: 2A

Student handout for "Investigation 2A: Generating Electricity with Motion" which guides students in building and testing a shake generator.

Consuming Sustainably

In the “Consuming Sustainably” ESD Kit, learners will explore aspects of consumption and production that play a role in their lives and communities. This ESD Kit focuses on the Key Concepts of the Targets and Indicators within SDG 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

Investigations included in this ESD Kit:

  1. Material Goods Around Us
  2. Modeling and Assessing Types of Trash Storage
  3. Plastics Around Us and in Aquatic Environments
  4. Packaging Assessments
  5. Electronics and E-Waste
  6. Carbon Footprint and Energy Efficiency
  7. Analyzing Natural and Synthetic Materials in Fashion
  8. Irrigation Systems

Culminating ESD Kit Project: Design an Environmentally Conscious Store

Facilitator Guide

View the in-depth curriculum guide for the "Consuming Sustainably" ESD Kit.

Student Version

View the student version of the "Consuming Sustainably" ESD Kit.

Sample Investigation: 4B

Student handout for "Investigation 4B: Comparing Food Packaged as Single Serve Versus in Bulk" which guides students in measuring and comparing single serve and bulk items.

Impacts of Climate Change

In the “Impacts of Climate Change” ESD Kit, learners will explore aspects of climate that are changing most rapidly and how human activity is influencing these changes. This ESD Kit focuses on the Key Concepts of the Targets and Indicators within SDG 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

Investigations included in this ESD Kit:

  1. Considering Climate
  2. Greenhouse Gases and Climate
  3. Measuring Carbon Dioxide and Acidity
  4. The Heat Capacity of Water and Coastal Storms
  5. Ice Melting, Thermal Expansion, and Sea Level Rise
  6. Measuring Albedo and Albedo Enhancement
  7. Assessing Soil Health and Sustainable Farming Practices

Culminating ESD Kit Project: Design a Resilient City

Facilitator Guide

View the in-depth curriculum guide for the "Impacts of Climate Change" ESD Kit.

Student Version

View the student version of the "Impacts of Climate Change" ESD Kit.

Sample Investigation: 3A

Student handout for "Investigation 3A: Measuring Carbon Dioxide and Acidity" which guides students in conducting tests to determine effects of CO2 on the pH of water.