Teachers:  do you want to have your class take the challenge?

There are three main steps in the International Student Carbon Footprint Challenge (ISCFC):

1. Students calculate their carbon footprint
2. Classes check the 'Compare' page map to view their class footprint data
3. Students log on to our online conversation site and participate in ISCFC discussions with students around the globe

You may modify any part of the following procedure to suit your class needs, but these are the steps that we suggest you follow:

1. Prepare for the upcoming session — April 2026 (or a future session)
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   • Examine our International Student Carbon Footprint Calculator to see if you agree that it would benefit your students.
     Options include both a "basic" calculation (geared to ages 10-13) and an "advanced" calculation (geared to ages 13-18 and up), as well as full mobile compatibility! ¡Disponible también en Español!
   • Fill out and submit the online ISCFC Teacher Participation Form to sign up for the current or a future ISCFC session — or you can download, fill in and email a text version instead.
     The upcoming session is April 2026
     Filling out the form will allow us to add your class & school to the footprint database.
   • Download and examine this useful pictorial key to the features of the calculator (you might consider projecting this for your students in advance or during their calculator session).
     Here is the pictorial key for the mobile version of the calculator.
   • Download a detailed step-by-step guide to our new discussion forum — and please share this guide with your students!
   • Explore, register and logon to our communication platform, to meet other participating teachers and plan for the communication sessions involving your students.
2. Students calculate personal footprint & you submit your class data
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   • Have your students register on the ISCFC website
     Note that many school email addresses block emails from outside the school. If this is true of your school, your students will not be able to receive their footprints and other notifications by email, and will not be able to reset their passwords. If this is true of your school, consider having your students use an alternate email address they might have such as gmail or icloud.
   • We suggest having your students fill out this Calculator Prep Worksheet in advance — it will make the process faster and more accurate.
   • Students go to the Challenge site and calculate their footprints.
     We offer a "basic" calculator version (geared to ages 10-13) alongisde the original "advanced" version, as well as new calculator options (e.g., solar panels and electric cars)! ¡Disponible también en Español!
   • Here is a useful pictorial key to the features of the calculator (you might consider projecting this for your students in advance or during their calculator session).
     Here is the pictorial key for the mobile version of the calculator.
   • Teachers and students may wish to download this source document with all of the sources and assumptions available in a single pdf file for all questions in the calculator.
     Note that all sources/assumptions are also available on demand during the calculations when you press the documentation button (with the 'jumble of numbers' icon).
   • You may wish to have your students fill out this class assignment as they undertake their calculations to encourage reflection on the activity.
     If you wish to modify this assigmnment, here is a version saved in Word .doc format
   • Your school's 'Compare' page map pin will be created or updated about 1 day after any of your students log their data
     Note that for this to work your students have to be registered, select your location and school when calculating, and need to complete their calculation.
3. Students discuss footprint results & possible solutions
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   • Invite your students onto our communication platform to expand the discussion to their peers worldwide!
   • Download a detailed step-by-step guide to our new discussion forum — and please share this guide with your students!
   • Teachers should visit the Teacher Planning discussion page and introduce yourself to the other April 2026 ISCFC teachers, share resources and ideas, and suggest additional discussion topics.
     The conversation topic pages for the April 2026 session are now open for teacher examination.
4. Make the most out of the ISCFC by visiting our Resources page for links, lesson plans, documentation, and more!

1. Tell your teacher about this project
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   • Give your teacher the link to the ISCFC project web site and ask them to register your school for free.
   • If your school is already involved, proceed to Step 2…
2. Complete the carbon footprint calculator
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   • Register on the ISCFC website.
     That way, you can complete the survey at multiple sittings, save your answers for future adjustments, and contribute to your school totals!
   • Use the Calculate link at the top of this page.
   • Prepare in advance for the questions in the survey (e.g., numbers of light bulbs, fuel economy of home vehicle, etc.) by filling out our Calculator Prep Worksheet.
   • If suggested by your teacher, use our class assignment as you proceed through the calculator to reflect on what you discover.
   • (optional) download this pictorial key to the features of our calculator. ...or click here to download the guide to using our mobile calculator!
   • (optional) download this source document with all of the sources and assumptions available in a single pdf file for all questions in the calculator.
   • Make sure to select your location and school if available in order to have your data included on our 'Compare' page map (one day after you calculate).
   • Be sure to email or print your results at the end!
3. Prepare for the discussion with your peers worldwide
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   • As directed by your teacher, visit websites where you can explore possible responses at both a personal and national level, and to make pledges to make personal changes in your daily lives.
   • The United Nation Foundation's pledge from Youth Climate Pledge — spread the word!
   • Earth Day take action page (pass it on: everyday is Earth Day).
4. Discuss!
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   • Review the detailed guide for using our new discussion forum site.
   • Follow the instructions, examining and registering at the discussion site.
   • Note that you can join and add to the discussions anytime.
   • You will find links on the right side of that page to all of the official ISCFC student discussion topic pages under the Student Discussions title.
   • Refer to the General Announcements page anytime for instructions and updates.
   • Have an idea for a discussion topic? Post your thoughts in the "Open Forum" discussion, and we will choose some of these to be featured as their own discussion!
5. Additional resources
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   Eager to go further? Take a look at our Resources page for links and related resources dedicated to climate change.