Carbon Cleanup Initiative's Climate in the Classroom

About Climate in the Classroom

In 2020, Lawrence Livermore National Lab (LLNL) issued its seminal research report, Getting to Neutral, providing an achievable roadmap to carbon neutrality by 2045.

From this report, the Livermore Lab Foundation and LLNL developed the Carbon Cleanup Initiative. This public service project serves as a community outreach and educational program, sharing the fundamental and scientific principles of carbon capture, mitigation, removal and storage. One of the most exciting aspects of the 

One Success students explore climate science through hands-on learning activities, such as identifying the acidification of the ocean.

Carbon Cleanup Initiative is the educational toolkit designed by teachers for teachers, with interactive classroom lessons and resources for grades 9-14. 

In the 2021-22 school year, LLF piloted the Carbon Cleanup Initiative’s educational toolkit in 30 classrooms across California. Student learning materials are based on Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). They can be used in all 9-14 general science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Science) courses and in classes aligned with Green Technology/Engineering learning concepts. Climate in the Classroom serves as an interactive and immersive educational unit that brings climate issues and carbon

solutions into dynamic student discussions and group activities. Hands-on learning opportunities range from identifying the acidification of the ocean to creating a Public Service Announcement (videos below). 

As the ‘Climate in the Classroom’ pilot wrapped up in June, both teachers and students shared very positive feedback about the program. The Foundation plans to use their input to refine the lessons and plan for broader dissemination in the next school year.

Student & Teacher Testimonials

“Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our generation. The Carbon Cleanup Initiative is an excellent way to educate students and stakeholders in our community about the science behind climate change, as well as the technology involved in addressing the issue. It was my honor to teach these lessons and bring this topic to the forefront of our local science classrooms.”
Chelsy Lancaster, TeacherRidgeview High School
“The capture of CO2 is something that little by little would help to save the earth. The CCS should be taught to all students to inform them about this big problem.”
StudentKern County
“I really liked the lessons. They gave us information about our planet, how to help it, and how we as ourselves are endangering earth.”
StudentSan Joaquin County
“I think that the material I was provided was a great way to introduce and familiarize oneself with climate change and carbon neutrality, it's a great starting point for anybody concerned about the matter, and I would recommend this content to anybody who is looking to know or do more.”
StudentKern County
“The Carbon Cleanup Initiative's Educational Toolkit activities really helped my students understand climate change and the importance of getting to carbon neutrality.”
Joey Rodriguez, TeacherLivermore High School
“This curriculum was something that caught my attention and I've grown to really enjoy talking and learning about this, and knowing that this plan has some real well paying job opportunities in the future, maybe I could make a living in CCS. Overall, I'm glad to have been on the journey.”
StudentSan Joaquin County
“The unit was a unique experience, which helped students learn more about the issues climate change presents and the solutions that may be available. The unit was a positive experience that may serve well in the future.”
StudentKern County
“I’m glad that I had the chance/opportunity to learn more about what is going on in the world and how we can help more as a community.”
StudentSan Joaquin County

Student Video Public Service Announcements

Student Poster Public Service Announcements

View More Student Public Service Announcements

Climate in the Classroom Photos

Media Mentions

The Independent: Livermore Lab Foundation Offers Carbon Neutrality Education

Students in Joey Rodriguez’s science class at Livermore High School, are learning about carbon footprints and combating climate change, thanks to the Livermore Lab Foundation (LLF). The world-renowned organization has created a Carbon Cleanup Initiative educational tool kit for use in high school classrooms. The curriculum is currently being tested by 30 teachers across the state, including one at Livermore High School. Read more by clicking the icon.

Stockton KCRA 3: Forecasting Our Future: These Stockton high school students are learning about climate change in the classroom

A new program with the Livermore Lab Foundation is providing special climate change lessons to select science classrooms in California. Read more by clicking the icon.

Lodi News Sentinel: Tokay High students will showcase their knowledge at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

A select group of Tokay High School students will have the opportunity to showcase their knowledge of climate change at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory later this year. Their work includes creating a carbon cleanup map of the San Joaquin Delta and how to convert biomass into something that can be stored underground. If this type of classwork sounds like nothing you have ever studied in school, it’s because you haven’t. Read more by clicking the icon.

Livermore Vine: Livermore High teacher inspires students with climate change curriculum designed by lab foundation

Livermore High School teacher Joey Rodriguez is one of a select group of California educators teaching with the Carbon Cleanup Initiative educational toolkit developed by the Livermore Lab Foundation (LLF). Rodriguez is bringing the science of carbon neutrality, capture and storage to the classroom, with hands-on activities that students can apply in the real world and even locally in Livermore. Read more by clicking the icon.

Bakersfield KERO ABC23: Students look to reduce their carbon footprint

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — As Earth Day approaches many are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint. For one local teacher, that lesson is starting in her classroom. Read more by clicking the icon.

Pleasanton Weekly: Livermore teacher inspires students with climate change curriculum

Livermore High School teacher Joey Rodriguez is one of a select group of California educators teaching with the Carbon Cleanup Initiative educational toolkit developed by the Livermore Lab Foundation. Read more by clicking the icon.

Stockton FOX40: ‘They are curious’: Pilot program teaches Stockton students about climate change

STOCKTON, Calif. (KTXL) — A Stockton teacher is part of a select group of California high school educators taking part in a pilot program on climate change. Read more by clicking the icon. Read more by clicking the icon.

Patch: Livermore Lab Scientists Launch Carbon Education Program

LIVERMORE, CA — In an effort to increase the public's knowledge on carbon neutrality, climate change and carbon dioxide removal processes, the Livermore Lab Foundation and the Lawrence Livermore National Lab is partnering together to launch the Carbon Cleanup Initiative, a public outreach program for residents. Read more by clicking the icon.

Bakersfield.com: Educational course on carbon management is coming to Kern

Kern County educators will undergo training this weekend on how to teach their students about the potential for fighting climate change through a locally promising process called carbon capture and sequestration, or CCS. Read more by clicking the icon.

KCSOS Staff News: KCSOS Assists Lawrence Livermore Lab on Piloting New Carbon Cleanup Curriculum

Throughout her 30-year career in education, Michelle Roy has always preferred science. As a multi-subject teacher, she would look forward to the experiments and reveling in the fascinating science-related discoveries with her students. Read more by clicking the icon.

SJCOE Outlook - May 2022: Carbon Cleanup in the Classroom

Livermore Lab and SJCOE STEM Programs partnership gives teachers new tools for the classroom. High school students learning about climate change want to do more than just understand the causes--- they want to learn how they can do something about it, said Jennifer Buck, a teacher at Tokay High School (Lodi Unified School District). See page 17 of the Outlook. Read more by clicking the icon.

KCRA3 video highlighting Pacific Law Academy  
Kern High School District video highlighting Ridgeview High School 
The Carbon Cleanup Initiative is a public service project of the Livermore Lab Foundation and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, with funding support from The Clean and Sustainable Energy Fund. For more information visit, carboncleanupinitiative.org.