EcoChains: Arctic Life accurately models the effects of climate change on wildlife food-webs. The game shows how human actions such as the development of alternative energy can influence carbon pollution.

Climate researchers helped design the game to ensure faithfulness to the underlying science. The game is fully aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards. For students in upper elementary through high school, the game is a great way to teach about Earth’s ecosystems, human activity, and weather and climate. It can be used for demonstration, student practice, and assessment for students from third grade all the way through high school.

Below you will find guides for the classroom, as well as a companion article to extend learning in the language and literacy domains.

Relevant Next Generation Science Standards  

Elementary

3-LS4-4. Make a claim about the merit of a solution to a problem caused when the environment changes and the types of plants and animals that live there may change.

5-ESS2-1. Develop a model using an example to describe ways the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and/or atmosphere interact.

Secondary

MS-ESS3-5. Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century.

HS-LS2-7. Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.

HS-ESS2-2. Analyze geoscience data to make the claim that one change to Earth’s surface can create feedbacks that cause changes to other Earth systems.

HS-ESS3-1. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.

Classroom Guides and Materials

EcoChains: Arctic Life HS Classroom Quick Guide

EcoChains: Arctic Life MS Classroom Quick Guide

EcoChains: Arctic Life Companion Article