Youth Climate Story: Fracking in Pennsylvania

Videos

Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Social Studies, Earth and Space Sciences, Health

This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by ACE
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What it is

  • This brief video from ACE gives a quick definition of fracking and focuses on the potential human health impacts for communities near industrial fossil fuel activities. 
  • The video provides aerial footage of hydraulic fracturing sites in Western Pennsylvania and the cities around them.

Teaching tips

Positives
  • This video uses a youth voice to succinctly explain a complicated environmental justice issue related to fossil fuel extraction.
Prerequisites
  • Students should be familiar with how fossil fuels are mined and used in the United States.
  • The video is available without an account. 
Differentiation & Implementation
  • Closed captioning and subtitles can be enabled for students with learning differences or English language learners. 
  • Consider having students think about who might have opposing arguments to this video and how to find common ground with those people.
  • This video can be an effective conversation starter before further investigation into the environmental health concerns of mining and burning fossil fuels. 

From the scientist review

People of color and low-income communities may be surrounded by fracking activities. This resource is suitable and recommended for teaching environmental and climate justice.
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