Ursachen des Klimawandels

Objective: This workbook explores a historical and materials-science phenomenon: the production of casein, an early milk-based bioplastic. Students work as a team of researchers to investigate how the organic components of liquid cow’s milk can be transformed into a solid plastic through the action of acid.

Content and Methods: The content is conveyed through a combination of historical contextualization, experimental laboratory work, and material analysis: Starting with the question of how a solid material can be produced from milk, students explore the composition of milk and the effect of acids on proteins. They then experimentally extract casein, document the course of the reaction, and examine the properties of the resulting bioplastic. Finally, the results are used in a scientific application to evaluate the historical significance and material properties of casein as an alternative to plastic.

Competencies:

• Technical expertise: Understanding of protein denaturation (acid precipitation of milk protein/casein) and the classification of galalith as a historical bioplastic
• Knowledge acquisition: Planning, conducting, and systematically documenting a preparative organic chemistry experiment (filtration, solid isolation)
• Materials and testing skills: Criteria-based analysis of the physical properties of a self-produced solid
• Argumentation and language skills: Writing a technically sound report using precise scientific explanations

Target audience and level: Middle school

Objective: This worksheet explores the electrochemical fundamentals of galvanic cells and how a lemon battery works in the context of modern, sustainable technology development. Students take on the role of a startup research team to experimentally and ecologically evaluate the suitability of a lemon as an environmentally friendly electrolyte, as well as the efficiency of various electrode pairings.

Content and Methods: The content is taught by combining theoretical fundamentals, experimental data collection, error analysis, and sustainability assessment: First, students explore the structure and functioning of electrochemical cells as well as the underlying redox reactions. They then test their hypotheses in an experiment, document measurement data, and analyze typical sources of error in the laboratory. Finally, they evaluate the performance and sustainability of various materials before summarizing their results in a technical report and a persuasive presentation.

Competencies:

• Technical Competence: Understanding of redox reactions, electrode potentials, and the role of electrolytes in generating electrical power
• Data Analysis: Conducting quantitative electrochemical measurements, systematically comparing variables, and identifying sources of methodological error
• Evaluation Competence: Balancing maximum technical performance with environmental factors (extraction, recycling, toxicity) in the context of sustainable chemistry
• Communication skills: Targeted, audience-oriented presentation of laboratory data for a business analysis or an investor pitch

Target audience and level: Middle School

Students playfully immerse themselves in the world of trees, solve puzzles, and identify different tree species in order to find a “forest treasure” and break a “curse.”

Content and Methods:

In an escape room scenario, students solve various puzzles related to tree species. They must identify trees based on descriptions, fill in gaps in texts, evaluate statements about trees as true or false, and classify trees as deciduous or coniferous. The worksheet also encourages students to document the trees they find, e.g., through photos or drawings.

Skills:

• Knowledge of tree species
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving
• Reading comprehension and text analysis
• Classification and categorization

Target audience and grade level:

Grade 5 and up

Objective: This worksheet aims to provide students with basic information about a country as a travel destination and to enable them to talk about their own vacation experiences.

Content and Methods: It describes the geography, climate, sights, and the importance of tourism within the country. Methods include reading comprehension, true/false questions, and a structured writing task about the students’ own vacations.

Competencies:

• Reading comprehension
• Geographical knowledge
• Written expression

Target Audience and Level: Spanish learners at A1 level

Objective: This worksheet aims to familiarize students with linguistic diversity in Spanish. It is designed to raise awareness of the coexistence of Spanish and other languages in Spanish-speaking regions and to encourage students to engage creatively with the topic of multilingualism.

Content and Methods: A text explains the linguistic situation in a Spanish-speaking region. It also addresses new language trends such as Spanglish and neologisms. The worksheet includes multiple-choice questions, word identification exercises, and a creative group activity in which students are asked to invent their own language.

Competencies:

Linguistic knowledge: Understanding of multilingualism and language contact

Critical thinking: Reflection on the development of languages

Creativity: Inventing words and a new language

Target audience and level: Spanish learners at A2 level

Objective: This worksheet aims to help students understand life in a Spanish-speaking country and enable them to describe their own country.

Content and Methods: It covers attitudes toward life, social dynamics (generational conflicts, marginalized groups), migration, and the importance of tourism in a selected country. Methods include reading comprehension, selecting specific statements from the text, and a structured task to describe one’s own country.

Competencies:

• Reading comprehension
• Understanding of sociocultural and geographical aspects
• Written expression

Target group and level: Spanish learners at A2 level

Objective: This worksheet aims to provide students with a basic understanding of genetic engineering and to facilitate a discussion of its advantages and disadvantages, particularly as they relate to fruits and vegetables.

Content and Methods: It explains the basics of genetic engineering and its applications (medicine, agriculture, research). The focus is on genetic engineering in fruits and vegetables, its advantages (pesticide resistance, productivity, nutritional value, climate adaptation), and concerns (environment, health, acceptance, costs). Methods include a prior knowledge assessment, multiple-choice questions, open-ended questions, and expressing an opinion in letter form.

Competencies:

• Reading comprehension of scientific texts
• Critical thinking about biotechnology
• Argumentation and written expression skills

Target audience and level: Spanish learners at B1 level

ESD:

• SDG 13 (Climate Action): Exploring climate adaptation
• SDG 15 (Life on Land): Raising awareness of biodiversity conservation

Objective: This worksheet aims to teach learners how to describe a city in Spanish using information from various sources.

Content and Methods: It includes a picture description, listening comprehension exercises based on a dialogue about a selected city, description tasks, and instructions for describing one’s own city.

Competencies:

• Picture description
• Listening and reading comprehension
• Written expression
• Analysis of information

Target audience and level: Spanish learners at A1/A2 level

Learners critically examine the economic, social, and environmental consequences of large-scale events using a selected example and weigh up the opportunities and risks.

Contents and methods: 

Based on informational texts about various roles (e.g., city administration, citizens' initiative, environmental officers), learners develop subject-specific arguments. The method includes preparing a structured discussion using tables and concluding with the creation of an informational statement to announce the decision.

Skills:

• Multiperspective analysis of complex economic issues
• Argumentation and judgment skills in socio-political debates
• Transfer of theoretical economic data to municipal decision-making processes
• Cooperation and communication skills within a role simulation

Target group:

Grade 8 and above

Objective: The worksheet aims to raise learners' awareness of the environmental impact of artificial intelligence (AI). It trains them to critically analyse the energy and resource consumption of data centres in order to develop strategies for the environmental sustainability of AI technology, particularly through the use of renewable energies.

Contents and methods: The worksheet begins with a warm-up on the learners' personal attitudes towards AI and climate change, followed by information about AI data centres in a selected country/city. Learners analyse advantages and environmental risks using text and cause-and-effect analyses. Methods such as group research, perspective changing and decision-making encourage reflection on sustainability and concrete measures for environmental responsibility.

Competencies:

• Sustainability awareness: Understanding the ecological footprint of digital technologies (energy and resource consumption).
• Critical analysis: Weighing technological advantages (climate research, smart farming) against environmental risks.
• Problem solving: Developing concrete strategies to promote energy efficiency and the use of green energy sources for AI.
• Understanding of roles: Making informed political decisions from an environmental policy perspective.

Target group and level: Years 8–10 (middle school)

ESD:

• 12: Responsible consumption and production patterns: This addresses the challenge of raw material extraction (rare earths) and the need for recycling and sustainable procurement.
•  13: Climate action: The text highlights the role of AI in reducing global emissions and in climate research.