K-12 Environmental Studies

Environmental Studies

Students PK-12 study the environment and climate change in San Francisco.

We offer students environmental studies across the PK-12 experience in SFUSD.

Our Neighborhood Nature video series is for preschool and early elementary students. In K-5, students learn about earth's climate in their spring semester Amplify Science units. The SFUSD Environmental Science Center provides outdoor field studies for middle and upper elementary students. In grades 6-8, students engage with climate science in project-based learning found here. Throughout high school in NGSS Biology or Physics, and with a spring semester of climate and Chemistry, the SFUSD NGSS Core Curriculum sequence engages students with relevant learning in the causes and effects of climate change, study of the methods to mitigate and adapt to climate change, and deeper opportunity for environmental study. Learn more about our high school science curriculum here.

A group of kids running through a jump rope at the park.

The SFUSD Environmental Science Center

Since 1976, the Environmental Science Center, in partnership with the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and SF Environment, has provided SFUSD students place-based inquiry with outdoor science field studies led by SFUSD Naturalists at Fort Funston, Golden Gate and McLaren Parks. The 3rd-5th grade programs align to NGSS and explore the ecosystems and the choices that students can make to protect the environment.

ESC

Neighborhood Nature

This local, SFUSD-created video series from the SFUSD Environmentalists at the Environmental Science Center, provides 22 three-minute episodes featuring wildlife and outdoor learning in San Francisco parks. Created during the Covid school closure for the SF Loves Learning TV Series, the resource is for early elementary and pre-school students and offers insights into local habitats.

(Click the right arrow for more about Environmental Studies. Click below for links to all 22 episodes.)

Neighborhood Nature

Climate Projects in Middle School

Embedded in the 6th-8th grade project-based curriculum, students engage with climate science learning.

Interdisciplinary Climate Projects in HS Chemistry

Climate change is a crisis already affecting people across the world. Educating current students will help prepare them to understand and take action now and in the future. As a culmination of student learning in HS, SFUSD's Chemistry curriculum integrates climate change throughout the spring semester and engages students in 4 projects to encourage them to take action in the wider world.

More About Chemistry Curriculum

School Gardens and Green Space in SFUSD

In many elementary schools, and some secondary schools, school gardens provide students opportunities for environmental science learning. SFUSD Science Team hosts a pilot program with 2 schools to expand NGSS learning into the outdoors on school campuses. We collaborate with the Green Schoolyards team in the SFUSD Facilities Department to expand access to outdoor learning in science in San Francisco.

(Click below to learn more.)

Global Climate Action Now artwork by Kyle Trefny, Ruth Asawa SOTA ‘20

Teacher Professional Learning Communities

Beyond direct service experiences for students, the SFUSD Science Team supports teachers with fellowships and coaching to expand the climate justice opportunities for students in their classrooms. Educators who focus on environmental literacy prepare students for college and career pathways and life. We prepare students to make informed decisions about resource and sustainability issues that face all communities and that demand our creativity for the future.

Teacher Opportunities