Electric Vehicles and Climate Change Educator Guide

This Guide for Educators was developed by the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative as an extension of our TILclimate (Today I Learned: Climate) podcast, to make it easier for you to teach climate change, earth science, and energy topics in the classroom. It is an extension of the TILclimate episode "TIL about electric cars."

Browse all TILclimate guides for educators.

Description

Electric vehicles (EVs) hold great promise for a lower-emissions future – but just how much promise? Students investigate the emissions associated with EV use in different parts of the US. Then, they learn about the air pollution impacts of gas and diesel vehicles and design a communication project to reduce exposure at school.

Download the Guide as a PDF

SWBAT:

Connect the way that electricity is produced with the carbon dioxide impact of an electric vehicle.
Explain the connection between gas and diesel vehicles and air pollution and describe some solutions.
Design a communication project to effect change in their school.

Skills:

Map reading
Data analysis
Communication

Standards:

HS-ESS3-4 Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.
HS-ETS1-3 Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs.
RST.11-12.7 Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media in order to address a question or solve a problem.

Disciplinary core ideas:

ESS2.D Weather and Climate
ESS3.D Global Climate Change
ETS1.B Developing Possible Solutions

What is included in this Educator Guide

How to use TILclimate Educator Guides (Download)
Teacher pages (Download)
- Includes materials, discussion questions, background resources, and adaptation suggestions for science, social science, and ELA teachers
Student pages (Download)
- Where Does Your Electricity Come From Data Investigation
- Fuel Efficiency Data Investigation
- Air Pollutants Communication Project
- 99th Percentile Vehicle Use Interviews
- How Much Does an EV Cost? Tool