Empowering, Engaging, and a Joy to Teach
Seeds to Solutions instructional materials are free, solutions-oriented lesson plans and student materials for grades K–12 on California environmental issues. Developed in response to teacher and community demand, Seeds to Solutions lessons empower students to address real-world environmental issues, from food waste to water use to wildfire management. Age-appropriate, solutions-focused, and trauma-informed, Seeds to Solutions instructional materials prepare students to be environmentally literate, engaged community members.
Why Seeds to Solutions?
- Includes everything needed to teach the topic and guide student investigations
- Aligns with California standards and Environmental Principles and Concepts
- Transforms classroom learning into discussions that go beyond school
- Empowers students to explore environmental solutions with confidence
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What Teachers Are Saying
“Students were curious and continue to be curious. They are more aware of their surroundings than before and continue to point out observations daily.”
“The message that there are solutions to help us combat climate change and that people are working together to solve problems helped students stay in a place of curiosity; they didn’t show anxiety over the content.”
“I heard comments like, ‘I didn’t realize how much climate change affects my community,’ and, ‘This project made me think about what I can do to help.'”
“The kids become more engaged because now they are actually actively doing things. They’re really having to look for themselves. It’s not given to them on a platter, but all the resources are right there.”
In the News
“We want to give kids confidence to deal with the challenges that the environment presents to us now and in the future,” San Mateo County Office of Education Superintendent Nancy Magee explained. Having a strong knowledge base can also support students’ mental health, lessen climate anxiety and improve academic engagement. Read more
Who We Are
Seeds to Solutions instructional materials were developed through a unique and diverse partnership of community organizations, experts in science and traditional ecological knowledge, educators, youth leaders, and curriculum-development specialists.
Instructional Model
Seeds to Solutions lesson plans use the Storyline Instructional Model. Students engage in sense-making as they work together to explore questions and understand real-world phenomena. This sparks students’ curiosity and teaches them how to think, not what to think.
Thank You to Our Funders
Seeds to Solutions instructional materials were developed using funds provided by the California Department of Education through Assembly Bill 130, Chapter 44, Statutes of 2021 Section 151(a). Additional support was provided by the Cisco Foundation, First Republic Bank Foundation, S.H. Cowell Foundation, and Ten Strands for the development of these materials.