Tech Solutions Teacher Guide Innovation Station: Tech Solutions for Climate
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Duration 45 Minutes
Learning Objective
Students will identify and evaluate technological innovations that support carbon neutrality and argue for their adoption via government incentives.
Materials Needed
Innovation Station Slide Deck
Shark Tank Pitch Instructions (1 per group)
Pitch Perfect Rubric (1 per student)
Blank paper and drawing supplies
Lesson Flow
5 min
Warm-up: Future Tech
Students draw one invention they believe will exist in 2050. Encourage them to think about energy, travel, or food. Briefly share 2-3 ideas with the class to set the stage for innovation.
10 min
Video: Global Climate Strategies
Watch the video "Global Strategies for Addressing Climate Change."
Key Focus Areas:
6:40: Incentives and tax credits.
8:30: Future innovations (Carbon concrete, electric planes).
20 min
Shark Tank: Climate Edition
Divide students into groups of 3-4. Each group chooses one technology (EVs, Solar, Carbon Concrete, or Electric Planes). They must prepare a 1-minute "pitch" to the government (the class) explaining why their tech deserves tax credits to reach Net Zero.
Check for Understanding: Ensure students can explain the difference between prevention and removal as mentioned in the video.
10 min
Closure: The Funding Vote
Each group delivers their 1-minute pitch. After all pitches, the class votes on which technology would be the most impactful "bang for the buck" for the government to fund.
Critical Vocabulary
Carbon Neutral / Net Zero Balancing emitted greenhouse gases with those removed from the atmosphere.
Incentives Financial benefits, like tax credits, used to encourage specific choices or behaviors.
Paris Agreement A 2015 international treaty to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.
Carbon Capture Technology that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere or power plant emissions.
Innovation Station Slides INNOVATION STATION
Tech Solutions for a Carbon Neutral Future
Warm-up: Future Tech
The year is 2050.
What is one invention that exists now that helps the planet?
Task:
Draw your invention on a blank sheet of paper.
Time: 5 Minutes
Our Mission
Identify and evaluate technological innovations that help the world reach Net Zero.
What is "Net Zero"?
Emissions
CO2 released from burning fossil fuels (cars, factories).
Removal
CO2 taken out by trees or carbon capture tech.
=
A Perfect Balance
Watch: Global Strategies
10 Minutes
Embedded media
Focus on: Incentives (6:40) & Innovation (8:30)
What are Incentives?
Financial "Boost"
The government gives Tax Credits to people or companies who use green technology.
Lower costs for customers
More sales for green companies
Faster shift to Net Zero
"If it's cheaper to be clean, people will choose to be clean."
Example:
Buying an Electric Vehicle (EV) might get you a $7,500 tax credit!
Main Event
SHARK TANK
Climate Edition
Your group is a tech startup. Your goal? Convince the government to provide incentives for your technology.
Pick Your Solution:
Electric Vehicles (EVs)
Solar Power Grids
Carbon Capture Concrete
Electric Aviation
Your 60-Second Pitch
20:00
Prep Time
1
The Problem
Which fossil fuel does your tech replace? How much CO2 does it save?
2
The Science
How does it work? Is it "Prevention" or "Removal"?
3
The Ask
Why should the government give tax credits for this? Who does it help?
Tip: Use data from the video to support your claims!
Funding Time
You are the government. Based on the pitches, which technology gets the biggest tax credit?
Criteria 1
Most CO2 Saved
Criteria 2
Easiest to Start
Shark Tank Pitch Instructions Shark Tank: Climate Edition
Tech Pitch Organizer
Names:
Date:
The Mission
The U.S. government wants to reach Net Zero by 2050. Your group is a green technology startup. You must convince a panel of government officials (the class) that your technology is the best investment. You are asking for incentives (tax credits) to help your technology grow.
Step 1: Select Your Innovation
EVs
Solar Power
Eco-Concrete
Electric Planes
Step 2: Plan Your 60-Second Pitch
The Problem (15 Seconds) What fossil fuel does this replace?
The Technology (20 Seconds) How does it work? Is it prevention or removal?
The Ask (25 Seconds) Why should the government give incentives for this?
Expert Pitch Tips:
Use data! Mentioning dates (like 2050) or amounts makes you sound like an expert.
Be persuasive! If we don't fund this tech, what happens to our Net Zero goals?
Speak clearly! You only have 60 seconds to change the world.
Pitch Perfect Rubric Pitch Perfect Rubric
Shark Tank: Climate Edition
Total Points / 16
Startup Team:
Technology:
Category Expert (4) Innovator (3) Apprentice (2) Beginner (1) Science Content Accurately explains how tech saves CO2 and helps reach Net Zero. Explains the tech and its benefit clearly, but misses one link to Net Zero. Shows basic understanding of the tech but lacks depth on CO2 savings. The science is unclear or incorrect for the chosen technology. Incentive Argument Strongly argues why the government should provide tax credits. Clearly requests incentives but the reason is somewhat weak. Mentions incentives but does not explain how they help the tech. No mention of government funding or incentives. Vocabulary "Net Zero", "Incentives", & "Prevention" or "Removal" used correctly. Uses 2 out of 3 key terms correctly in the pitch. Uses 1 key term correctly. Does not use any key terms from the lesson. Presentation Pitch is under 60 seconds, clear voice, and high confidence. Good volume and clear delivery, but slightly over/under time. Voice is a bit quiet or relies heavily on notes. Pitch is difficult to hear or significantly over time.
Shark Panel Feedback
Innovation Station
7th Grade Science: Tech Solutions
