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
   • NEW 2026: If students are logged in, have chosen their school, and completed their footprint calculation it will be automatically included in the school's data on the world map
   • Teachers no longer need to manually submit their students' data!
2. Teachers and students review their and other schools' data posted on the world map
3. Students log in 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 — November 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 November 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!
   • Create an account and log in to our communication platform, to meet other participating teachers and plan for the communication sessions involving your students.
2. Students calculate personal footprint & your class data is automatically compiled
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   • 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) alongside 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.
   • We encourage students to log in to the site and select their school when doing their calculations. That way their data, when complete, will be automatically compiled on our world map
     • Students can only select their school if a teacher from that school has previously registered.
     • If your school isn't listed, a teacher needs to register the school using our online ISCFC Teacher Participation Form.
   • 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 assignment, here is a version saved in Word .doc format
   • The world map with student data updates every 24 hours.
     Not seeing your students' data appear? Email project director and content coordinator Jason Hodin (larvador[at]uw.edu) and we will investigate.
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 November 2026 ISCFC teachers, share resources and ideas, and suggest additional discussion topics.
     The conversation topic pages for the November 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.
   • If your school is already involved, proceed to Step 2…
2. Complete the carbon footprint calculator
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   • 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.
   • You can email or print your results at the end!
   • ...but we recommend that you are logged in (free account) and save your results. That way, you can complete the survey at multiple sittings, and save your answers for future adjustments.
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 logging in 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.