An electronic road sign alerts drivers to an extreme heat advisory.
Four By Four Blazer, CC BY 2.0
Pathway Summary
Anchoring phenomenon lesson
This pathway begins by having students explore local headlines related to extreme heat events, and provides opportunities for them to talk about their experiences with extreme heat in Kansas City. Students then create initial models to explain two questions: (1) What causes extreme heat in Kansas City? and (2) How does this affect Kansas City? After developing initial models, students use uncertainties and gaps in their thinking to identify questions that will drive their investigations.
Investigation lessons
Through two investigation lessons, students examine the causes and impacts of the urban heat island effect. They also explore electricity access within and across Kansas City communities during extreme heat events.
Culminating task
This unit on extreme heat culminates with a student-driven Earth Day concert for the school, organized in partnership with local celebrity and United Nations Youth Envoy participant AY Young. AY Young is a singer, songwriter, entertainer, and entrepreneur focused on renewable energy, sustainability, and expanding access to electricity through renewable sources. Students partnered with Young to organize one of his Battery Tour concerts, in which the entire performance is powered by solar batteries. This culminating task was part of a larger, year-long project for the Environmental Science classes, which involved fundraising through bake sales and club promotions, as well as learning about and aligning their efforts with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Phenomenon
Kansas City is experiencing more extreme heat events than it has in the past.
Community
Kansas City is a US plains city, situated on the Missouri River, straddling two states (Kansas City, KS (smaller city) and Kansas City, MO (major city)). With climate change, the city is experiencing more frequent and more extreme hot weather.
Materials Available
Anchoring phenomenon lesson
2 Investigate lessons
Culminating task
Key Features
Urban/suburban
School-wide concert
Energy justice
Educator Insight
Teacher: Marjorie MacGregor
Why I chose this phenomenon
Kansas City is already hot but has been getting noticeably hotter for extended durations. Models have predicted the region to see this continue well into the future. I chose this topic because students feel the impact in their daily activities and we, as a class, spend a lot of time outside exploring and working in the urban core. This gave us an opportunity to consider heat island, clean energy, human health, and water quality of urban streams with impacts from increased heat.
How my students responded
AY Young brought Battery Tour to our outdoor quad for an electrifying, carbon free concert. He brought our school together to demonstrate how "Everyone is an Outlet for Change" ` Quote by AY Young
