Young People and Environmental Justice

Grade Level: 5

Subject: Science

Young People and Environmental Justice is a unit designed for fifth grade students where they will explore how to fight for environmental justice to protect the earth's resources and their communities. The unit is developed around videos and texts that explore environmental injustices, such as the differential impact of pollution based on race and wealth, and highlight youth activism for environmental justice. Importantly, environmental injustices are defined as the result of systemic policies and practices, not individual behavior. Students interview leaders in local CBOs and create action plans using resources and strategies shared by CBOs to hold communities accountable to the law and to protect BIPOC communities in the state of New Jersey. The integrated unit meets core content standards for Science.