Building Environmental Literacy through Inquiry, Design, and Local Climate Action
Podcast Summary
This podcast episode explores how middle school teachers at Nesbit School integrate environmental literacy and solutionary teaching across disciplines. Sixth-grade ELA teachers Tim and Kyle, along with science teacher Cass, guide students in researching climate change, extreme weather, and other environmental challenges while developing practical solutions such as disaster preparedness kits and innovative technologies. The educators focus on empowering students to understand local environmental issues, engage with stakeholders, and take meaningful action—demonstrating how interdisciplinary, project-based learning can transform students from passive learners into active problem-solvers.
“We're not introducing them to something to be afraid of. We are demystifying and empowering them around something that they already know is happening.”
Tim McIntyre
Featured ELA Superhero
Kyle Ting, Tim McIntyre, and Cassandra DeWood
Mr. Ting and Mr. McIntyre co-teach sixth-grade at Nesbit School, a K–8 campus in the Belmont-Redwood Shores School District. Ms. DeWood leads the IB program and teaches middle school science.
Teaching Snapshot
This snapshot highlights how a dynamic team of middle school educators at Nesbit Elementary—Mr. Kyle Ting, Mr. Tim McIntyre, and Ms. Cassandra DeWood—are advancing environmental literacy through interdisciplinary, inquiry-based instruction that blends English language arts, science, engineering, and civic action.
Additional Information
- The World Becomes What We Teach – Zoe Weil
