Kenya · eRESL · Classroom Starter Pack

10-Minute Hook Activities

Ready-to-use lesson starters for all subjects in Kenyan CBC schools — from Mathematics to Kiswahili, Science to Business Studies — connecting everyday learning to Kenya's green economy and the careers of the future. Zero preparation required.

No preparation needed Primary · Junior Secondary · Senior Secondary 81 activities · 27 subjects All activities ≤ 10 minutes Kenya CBC aligned

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Hook first, teach secondRun in the first 10 min before your lesson topic.

📌

No prep requiredUses only what's in your classroom or learners' heads.

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Link to the futureEach hook connects to a real green job in Kenya.

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Filter & expandUse sidebar filters. Click "Notes" for extension ideas.

81 activities

🔬 Science

Years 5–6 · Climate Science

The Sun in Your Hand

Opening question

"Hold your hand up. Right now, how many watts of energy do you think is hitting it from the sun?"

1
Learners guess (accept all). 1 min
2
Reveal: ~1W per cm². A hand is ~150 cm² — 150W of free energy. 2 min
3
Quick maths: 5–7 hrs Kenya sunlight × 150W — how many watt-hours per hand? Pairs calculate. 3 min
4
"What could we power?" Collect ideas on board. 2 min
5
Bridge to Kenya's solar economy and the job behind it. 1 min

Climate ScienceRenewable Energy☀️ Solar Technician

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Estimate total solar energy hitting your school roof. Could it power the whole community? (~1–2 kWh per household per day.)

Teacher note

~150W × 6 hrs = 900 Wh per hand — enough to charge 15 smartphones. Kenya has one of the highest solar irradiance levels globally. Kenya projects 40,000–240,000 solar jobs by 2030.

🔬 Science

Years 7–8 · Water Cycle

Where Did This Water Come From?

Opening question

"The water in your bottle — name three places it has been before it got there."

1
Learners write 3 places individually. 2 min
2
Share: could it have been in an Ethiopian cloud? The Indian Ocean? A dinosaur? (Yes to all.) 2 min
3
Draw on board: Kenya → Indian Ocean → cloud → Mt Kenya → river → tap. 3 min
4
"Kenya's long rains are getting shorter. What happens to this cycle?" Pair discussion. 2 min
5
Bridge to water cycle lesson + WASH Engineer career. 1 min

Water CycleClimate Change💧 WASH Engineer

Materials: Board and chalk/marker only

Extension

Trace where your school's water supply comes from using a local map. At what point is it most at risk from drought or pollution?

Teacher note

Kenya's long rains (March–May) have declined in reliability since the 1970s. ChildFund's solar WASH systems serve 90% of their water projects in SSA.

🔬 Science

Years 9–10 · Carbon Cycle

Your Breakfast's Carbon Journey

Opening question

"Think about what you ate for breakfast. How much CO₂ do you think was emitted to produce it? Guess in grams."

1
Learners write down breakfast and a CO₂ guess. 2 min
2
Share figures: ugali ~200g CO₂/kg; beef ~27,000g CO₂/kg; local veg ~200g; imported bread ~1,000g. Recalculate. 3 min
3
"What Kenyan breakfast has the lowest carbon footprint?" — sukuma wiki, ugali, sweet potato. 2 min
4
Bridge to the carbon cycle. Career: Carbon Analyst for food companies. 1 min

Carbon CycleSustainable Diets🌱 Carbon Analyst

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Design a "zero-carbon school lunch menu" using only locally grown Kenyan foods. Calculate total emissions per learner per meal.

Teacher note

Kenya's indigenous food diversity — sorghum, millet, cowpeas, amaranth, orange-fleshed sweet potato — is both nutritionally superior and dramatically lower in carbon than imported equivalents.

🔬 Science

Years 7–8 · Ecosystems

One Bee, Ten Shillings

Opening question

"If all the bees in Kenya disappeared tomorrow, how much money do you think Kenya would lose?"

1
Pairs discuss and write a figure. 2 min
2
Reveal: African pollination services are worth billions annually. Kenya's horticulture exports depend almost entirely on pollinators. 2 min
3
Quick survey: who has eaten food a bee pollinated this week? (Most fruit, coffee, sunflower oil, most vegetables.) 2 min
4
Bridge: introduce ecosystem services — the invisible economy of nature. 2 min

EcosystemsBiodiversity🌿 Biodiversity Economist

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

List 10 foods you eat regularly. For each one, research whether it needs pollination — and calculate what happens to the school tuck shop if all pollinated foods are removed.

Teacher note

Kenya's flower export industry (primarily roses to the EU) is worth over $800M annually and is almost entirely pollinator-dependent. "Ecosystem services" is a key entry point to the green economy.

🔬 Science

Years 9–10 · Climate & Health

The Mosquito Migration

Opening question

"Malaria used to not exist in the Kenyan Highlands. Now it does. What changed?"

1
Learners brainstorm why highlands were mosquito-free. (Too cold, wrong habitat.) 2 min
2
Reveal: average temperatures in Kenya's Highlands have risen ~1°C since 1970. Mosquitoes now survive at previously impossible altitudes. 2 min
3
"What other insects or diseases might follow?" Pairs generate two examples. 3 min
4
Bridge to ecology. Career: Environmental Health Officer. 1 min

Climate ScienceEcosystems🏥 Environmental Health Officer

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Map which diseases are currently confined to low altitudes in Kenya. At +2°C, which would reach your community? What health infrastructure would be needed?

🔬 Science

Years 11–12 · Energy Systems

Kenya's Invisible Power Plant

Opening question

"Kenya gets 93% of its electricity from renewable sources. Which single source do you think contributes the most — solar, wind, hydro, or geothermal?"

1
Learners vote. Most guess solar or hydro. 1 min
2
Reveal: geothermal (42%). The Olkaria Complex at Naivasha produces 865 MW from Earth's own heat. It runs 24/7 regardless of weather. 2 min
3
Why is this remarkable? Kenya sits on the Great Rift Valley — one of the world's great geological features. The same force that will eventually split Africa in two is powering Kenyan homes. 3 min
4
Bridge to energy systems topic. Career: Geothermal Engineer. 2 min

Energy SystemsGeology🌋 Geothermal Engineer

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Calculate: if Kenya's Olkaria Complex avoided CO₂ equivalent to burning coal for 865 MW, what is the annual carbon savings? Compare to Kenya's total annual emissions.

Teacher note

Kenya is a global geothermal leader and exports expertise to Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania. This is a genuinely Kenyan green economy success story — use it to build pride and aspiration.

🔬 Science

Years 5–6 · Materials & Resources

The Bag That Lasts 1,000 Years

Opening question

"If you put a plastic bag in the ground today, how long do you think it would take to disappear completely?"

1
Guesses — write on board. Accept all. 1 min
2
Reveal: 500–1,000 years. Your great-great-great-...-grandchildren will still find it. 2 min
3
Kenya banned plastic bags in 2017. What do people use instead? Survey the class — what bags did families bring shopping this week? 4 min
4
Bridge to circular economy. Career: Circular Economy Designer. 2 min

PollutionCircular Economy♻️ Circular Economy Designer

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Map the full life cycle of a plastic bag vs a sisal bag made in Kenya — oil extraction to disposal. What's the full environmental cost difference?

Teacher note

Kenya's plastic bag ban is one of the toughest in the world. Lake Victoria pollution from plastic has reduced significantly. Kenyan startups are making reusable packaging and plastic-to-road-surfacing materials from collected waste.

🔬 Science

Years 7–8 · Photosynthesis & Forests

How Much Forest Does Your Breath Need?

Opening question

"You breathe out CO₂ all day. How many trees does it take to absorb one year of your exhaled carbon?"

1
Individual guess. 1 min
2
Reveal: you exhale ~73 kg CO₂/year. A mature tree absorbs ~22 kg/year. You need 3–4 trees just for your breathing. 2 min
3
Scale up: whole class? Whole school? Is there that much tree cover around your school? 3 min
4
"Kenya lost 3.4% of its tree cover between 2001–2023. What happens to all that CO₂?" Bridge to photosynthesis. 2 min

PhotosynthesisCarbon Cycle🌳 Agroforestry Technician

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Survey tree coverage around the school. Calculate how many people the school's trees could "breathe for." Is the school carbon-positive or carbon-negative?

Real Kenya link

Kenya's national tree-planting campaign aims to plant 15 billion trees by 2032. Agroforestry combines food security with carbon sequestration — one of the most important green economy roles for Kenyan youth.

🔬 Science

Years 9–10 · Food Science & Agriculture

The Sweet Potato That Could Save a Village

Opening question

"Which crop needs less water than maize, grows in poor soil, is more nutritious, stores for months, and is already grown in Kenya — but most farmers don't prioritise it?"

1
Guesses — cassava, millet, sorghum (correct directions). Reveal: orange-fleshed sweet potato. 2 min
2
Why orange-fleshed? Beta-carotene (Vitamin A). Deficiency causes blindness in thousands of Kenyan children per year. 3 min
3
"Why would a scientist care about the colour of a sweet potato?" Bridge to plant biology — pigments, photosynthesis, nutrients. 3 min
4
Career: Agricultural Scientist / Plant Biotechnologist. 1 min

Plant BiologyClimate-Smart Agriculture🌾 Agricultural Scientist

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Compare water requirements, soil requirements, yield per acre and nutritional profiles of: maize, orange-fleshed sweet potato, sorghum, millet. Which combination is most climate-resilient?

Teacher note

ChildFund runs Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato programmes in Uganda and Zambia. Kenya's changing rainfall patterns make this increasingly relevant. Plant biology is the foundation of all climate-smart agriculture careers.

🔬 Science

Years 11–12 · Climate Feedback Loops

The Permafrost Bomb

Opening question

"There's frozen soil near the Arctic that contains twice as much carbon as is currently in the entire atmosphere. What happens if it thaws?"

1
Learners predict in pairs. 2 min
2
Explain: permafrost thaw releases methane — a greenhouse gas 80× more potent than CO₂ over 20 years. This is a climate "tipping point." 3 min
3
"Why should Kenyan students care about permafrost in the Arctic?" — because feedback loops accelerate global warming that directly affects East African rainfall. 3 min
4
Bridge to climate tipping points. Career: Climate Systems Scientist. 1 min

Climate ScienceFeedback Systems🔬 Climate Systems Scientist

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Map three climate feedback loops: (1) Arctic ice-albedo, (2) permafrost methane, (3) Amazon dieback. How do these interact? Which poses the greatest risk to East Africa?

🗺 Geography

Years 7–8 · Climate & Development

The Map That Doesn't Make Sense

Opening question

"Shade the countries most responsible for causing climate change. Now shade the countries that suffer most from it. What do you notice?"

1
Learners draw rough sketches or describe the two groups verbally. 3 min
2
Discuss: the maps barely overlap. USA and China emit most CO₂. Mozambique, Kenya, Ethiopia experience most impacts. 3 min
3
"Is this fair? What word do geographers use for this?" — Introduce "climate justice." 2 min
4
Career: Climate Policy Negotiator — Kenya has been an active voice at COP summits. 1 min

Climate JusticeDevelopment🌍 Climate Policy Negotiator

Materials: Blank world map outline (optional — can be done verbally)

Extension

Research Africa's contribution to global CO₂ emissions (<4%) vs its share of climate impacts. Construct an argument for why high-income countries owe climate finance to Africa.

Teacher note

Kenya's negotiators at COP are among Africa's strongest advocates for Loss and Damage finance. This is a powerful hook for engagement in global citizenship and geography simultaneously.

🗺 Geography

Years 5–6 · Kenya's Physical Geography

Why Does Kenya Have Everything?

Opening question

"Name as many different landscapes as you can think of that exist inside Kenya's borders. Don't stop until I say."

1
Rapid-fire brainstorm — list on board. 2 min
2
Add any missed: savannah, highland forest, semi-arid, coast, lake, mangrove, urban, glacier (Mt Kenya summit). 2 min
3
Ask: "Why does Kenya have so many different ecosystems in one country?" — the Great Rift Valley, altitude variation (0–5,000m), equatorial position, Indian Ocean coast. 3 min
4
Bridge to ecosystem diversity and biodiversity topics. Career: Conservation Geographer. 2 min

Physical GeographyBiodiversity🦁 Conservation Geographer

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Map Kenya's major ecosystem types on a blank outline map. Colour-code by elevation. Overlay with where climate change is projected to hit hardest — which ecosystems are most at risk?

🗺 Geography

Years 9–10 · Coastal Geography

Mombasa in 2075

Opening question

"If sea levels rise by 1 metre by 2100, which parts of Mombasa Island would be underwater?"

1
Learners sketch or describe their mental map of Mombasa. Which areas are lowest? 2 min
2
Show key facts: Mombasa's Old Town sits at ~5m elevation. Large parts of Kilindini Harbour and the island's western shore are <2m. A 1m rise affects drainage, groundwater, and flooding. 3 min
3
"What would need to change about Mombasa's infrastructure?" — roads, drainage, seawall, building codes, port. 3 min
4
Career: Coastal Climate Adaptation Planner. 1 min

Coastal GeographyClimate Adaptation🌊 Coastal Adaptation Planner

Materials: Basic Kenya map (optional)

Extension

Use Google Maps elevation data to identify Mombasa's lowest-lying neighbourhoods. Design a "climate-resilient Mombasa" — which infrastructure investments would have the highest return?

🗺 Geography

Years 11–12 · Economic Geography

Kenya's $800M Rose

Opening question

"Kenya is Europe's largest supplier of cut flowers. How many Kenyan workers do you think are employed in the flower industry?"

1
Guesses — write range on board. 1 min
2
Reveal: ~500,000 directly + 2M indirectly. The Naivasha flower farms around Lake Naivasha employ entire communities. 2 min
3
Challenge: "Is this industry climate-resilient? Lake Naivasha is shrinking. What happens to the flowers?" Link to water use, biodiversity, and economic dependency. 4 min
4
Career: Sustainable Supply Chain Analyst. 1 min

Economic GeographySustainability📊 Supply Chain Analyst

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Map the full value chain of a Kenyan rose: farm → Nairobi airport → Amsterdam Aalsmeer flower market → European retailer → consumer. Who captures most of the value? How could more stay in Kenya?

🗺 Geography

Years 7–8 · Population & Resources

Nairobi's Food Desert

Opening question

"Nairobi has more than 4 million people. How far do you think the average piece of food travels to reach a plate in Nairobi?"

1
Guesses — map the distances. 2 min
2
Reality: vegetables from Rift Valley (100–300 km), grain from Western Kenya (300+ km), imported foods from overseas. The system is fragile. 3 min
3
"What happens to Nairobi's food supply if there's a drought in the Rift Valley?" Pair discussion. 3 min
4
Bridge to food systems and urban geography. Career: Urban Food Systems Planner. 1 min

Urban GeographyFood Systems🏙️ Urban Food Systems Planner

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Design a "Nairobi Climate-Resilient Food System" — what would local food production look like at urban scale? Consider rooftop gardens, urban farms, community food forests.

🗺 Geography

Years 9–10 · Migration & Climate

The Climate Refugee Who Hasn't Left Yet

Opening question

"By 2050, how many people do you think could be displaced by climate change in Africa alone?"

1
Guesses — accept all. 1 min
2
Reveal: World Bank estimates 216 million climate migrants globally by 2050; 50–85 million in Sub-Saharan Africa alone. 2 min
3
"Where would they go? What does that do to cities like Nairobi or Mombasa?" Pair discussion. 4 min
4
Career: Climate Migration Policy Analyst. 1 min

MigrationClimate Justice📋 Climate Migration Analyst

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Research the three drivers of climate migration in East Africa: drought, flooding, and crop failure. Which is most impactful in your county? What adaptation measures could reduce displacement?

🗺 Geography

Years 11–12 · Green Economy Geography

Africa's Lithium Triangle

Opening question

"Electric vehicles need lithium for their batteries. Where in Africa do you think the largest lithium deposits are found?"

1
Guesses — plot on mental map. 2 min
2
Reveal: Zimbabwe, DRC (cobalt), Zambia, and significant new discoveries in Ethiopia and Kenya. Africa holds a majority of the world's critical minerals for the green transition. 2 min
3
"Does this make Africa powerful or vulnerable in the green transition?" Debate both sides. 4 min
4
Career: Critical Minerals Geologist / Green Finance Analyst. 1 min

Economic GeographyGreen Economy⛏️ Critical Minerals Geologist

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Map Africa's critical mineral deposits (lithium, cobalt, manganese, graphite) against the projected demand for EV batteries by 2050. Which African countries are best positioned? What governance frameworks would ensure community benefit?

🗺 Geography

Years 5–6 · Weather & Climate

Why Does It Rain More in Some Places?

Opening question

"Nairobi gets about 850mm of rain per year. Lodwar (Turkana) gets about 200mm. Why do you think some parts of Kenya are so much drier?"

1
Learners guess reasons: distance from ocean? Mountains? Wind? 2 min
2
Explain orographic rainfall — mountains force air upward, it cools, condenses, rains. Turkana is in a rain shadow. 3 min
3
Ask: "If Kenya's mountains were deforested, what would happen to this rain pattern?" (Answer: serious reduction in orographic rainfall — this is happening.) 3 min
4
Career: Meteorologist / Climate Hydrologist. 1 min

Weather & ClimatePhysical Geography🌦️ Climate Hydrologist

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Record rainfall at school for one week. Compare to national data for your county. What patterns do you see? Is your area wetter or drier than the national average? Why?

🗺 Geography

Years 9–10 · Lake Victoria

The Lake That Feeds 40 Million People

Opening question

"Lake Victoria provides food, water, and livelihoods for 40 million people across three countries. Name three threats it currently faces."

1
Pairs brainstorm threats. 2 min
2
Add from list if missed: water hyacinth, overfishing, pollution from Kampala/Kisumu, climate change altering rainfall patterns, declining water levels. 3 min
3
"If Lake Victoria's fish stocks collapsed, what would happen to food prices across East Africa?" 3 min
4
Career: Freshwater Systems Ecologist / Transboundary Water Policy Analyst. 1 min

Water GeographyFood Security🐟 Freshwater Ecologist

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Design a "Lake Victoria Recovery Plan" as if you were advising the East African Community. Prioritise five interventions and explain the trade-offs of each.

📖 English

Years 7–8 · Persuasive Writing

The 60-Second Climate Pitch

Opening question

"You have 60 seconds to persuade the Kenyan Cabinet to fund one climate action. What do you say?"

1
Each learner writes their opening sentence only. 2 min
2
Share 4–5 opening lines. Discuss: which grabbed attention? Why? (Emotion, data, story, question.) 3 min
3
Teach the three-part persuasive structure: Hook → Evidence → Call to Action. Learners revise their opening. 3 min
4
Career: Climate Communications Specialist / Policy Advocate. 1 min

Persuasive WritingClimate Communication🗣️ Climate Communicator

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Learners develop the pitch into a full 300-word written argument. Peer feedback using: Warm (what worked), Wonder (questions raised), Wish (what to improve).

Teacher note

The ability to communicate climate urgency clearly and compellingly is one of the most in-demand skills across the green economy — from NGO advocacy to corporate sustainability reporting.

📖 English

Years 5–6 · Descriptive Writing

The Forest That Speaks

Opening question

"If a forest could speak — what would it say right now, today, about what is happening to it?"

1
Learners write one sentence from "the forest's perspective." 2 min
2
Share 4–5 sentences. Notice: which used strong verbs? Which used the senses? Which created emotion? 3 min
3
Teach: personification as a writing technique. Revise sentences to use it. 3 min
4
Career: Environmental Writer / Documentary Narrator. 1 min

Descriptive WritingPersonification✍️ Environmental Writer

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Write a full paragraph from the perspective of a specific Kenyan ecosystem — Mt Kenya glacier, Lake Turkana, the Mara River — using sensory language and personification throughout.

📖 English

Years 9–10 · Debate & Argument

Should Kenya Pay for Climate Change?

Opening question

"Africa produces less than 4% of global CO₂ emissions but faces some of the worst climate impacts. Should wealthy countries pay Kenya for climate damage? Argue yes or no in one sentence."

1
Learners write one sentence — yes or no. 1 min
2
Quick tally: how many yes, how many no. Identify the split. 1 min
3
Assign: those who said yes must make the no argument; those who said no must make the yes argument. Write one supporting sentence. 4 min
4
Discuss: why is it important to understand both sides? Bridge to debate skills and formal argument writing. 2 min

DebateClimate Justice⚖️ Environmental Lawyer

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Write a structured debate speech (400 words) arguing for Loss and Damage finance, using the PEEL structure (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link). Research Kenya's COP contributions as evidence.

Teacher note

Climate loss and damage is one of the most contested global policy debates. Learners who can argue both sides fluently are developing the critical thinking that legal, policy, and advocacy careers require.

📖 English

Years 11–12 · Report Writing

The Annual Report Kenya Needs

Opening question

"A green energy company is applying for international climate finance. They need one paragraph that summarises their impact in 2024. Write a draft — right now."

1
Learners draft a paragraph immediately — no research. 3 min
2
Share 2–3 paragraphs. Identify what makes one more credible, more specific, more action-oriented. 3 min
3
Teach: impact reporting requires metrics (how many? how much?), passive voice (carefully), and precise language. Revise one sentence. 3 min
4
Career: Sustainability Report Writer / Impact Assessment Analyst. 1 min

Report WritingGreen Finance📊 Impact Assessment Analyst

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Write a full 500-word impact report for a hypothetical Kenyan solar cooperative — including a mission statement, 2024 impact metrics, and a forward-looking statement on 2025 goals.

Teacher note

Impact reporting and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) writing is one of the fastest-growing professional communication fields globally. Kenyan graduates with this skill are highly employable in international NGOs, banks, and green businesses.

📖 English

Years 7–8 · Oral Communication

Sell Me This Green Idea

Opening question

"You have invented a device that turns household waste into biogas for cooking. You have 90 seconds to pitch it to an investor. Go."

1
Pairs prepare in 2 minutes — no writing, just think and talk. 2 min
2
2 volunteer pitches to the class. Audience scores 1–5 on: clarity, confidence, persuasiveness. 4 min
3
Debrief: what made the higher-scoring pitch better? (Eye contact, clear structure, specific benefits, enthusiastic voice.) 2 min
4
Career: Green Entrepreneur / Impact Investor Analyst. 1 min

Oral CommunicationEntrepreneurship💡 Green Entrepreneur

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Develop the pitch into a full 3-minute investor presentation with one visual aid. Present to a panel including a teacher, a peer, and ideally a community adult. Warm / Wonder / Wish feedback structure.

Teacher note

Oral communication is rated by Kenyan employers as one of the most valued and least developed skills in graduates. This activity simultaneously builds English oral proficiency, entrepreneurial thinking, and green economy awareness.

📖 English

Years 5–6 · Vocabulary & Word Study

The New Words the World Needs

Opening question

"Some ideas are so new that English doesn't have good words for them yet. What word would you invent for 'the sadness you feel when nature is destroyed'?"

1
Learners invent a word and share. 3 min
2
Reveal: "solastalgia" (Glenn Albrecht, 2003) — the distress caused by environmental change in your home place. This is now a real psychological term. 2 min
3
Challenge: invent two more green economy words that don't exist yet. Share and vote for the class favourites. 3 min
4
Bridge to vocabulary, word formation, and the power of language to shape how we think. 1 min

VocabularyWord Formation📚 Environmental Journalist

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Create a "Kenyan Green Economy Glossary" — 10 new or repurposed words that describe environmental concepts using Swahili roots or local metaphors. Present as a class display.

📖 English

Years 9–10 · Reading Comprehension

Reading Between the Lines of a Climate Report

Opening question

"A newspaper headline says: 'Scientists warn of 1.5°C temperature rise.' What questions should a critical reader ask before believing this?"

1
Learners generate questions individually. 2 min
2
Share: expected questions include "which scientists?", "by when?", "above what baseline?", "with what certainty?", "who funded the study?" 3 min
3
Teach: the five critical reading questions — Who? Why? When? How sure? What's missing? Apply to the climate headline. 3 min
4
Career: Science Journalist / Fact-Checker for climate media. 1 min

Critical ReadingMedia Literacy📰 Science Journalist

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Find three climate-related headlines from Kenyan newspapers this week. Apply the five critical reading questions to each. Which is most credible? Least credible? Why?

📖 English

Years 11–12 · Creative Non-Fiction

The Last Glacier on Mt Kenya

Opening question

"Mt Kenya had 18 glaciers in 1900. It now has 11 — and is projected to have none by 2040. Write the opening line of a piece that makes someone who has never been to Kenya care about this."

1
Learners write one opening line. 2 min
2
Share 4–5 lines. Which created emotion? Curiosity? A sense of scale? 3 min
3
Teach: creative non-fiction uses the tools of fiction (scene-setting, character, emotion) to tell true stories. Good environmental writing makes abstract data visceral. 3 min
4
Career: Environmental Documentary Writer / NGO Communications Lead. 1 min

Creative Non-FictionEnvironmental Writing🎬 Documentary Writer

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Write a full 500-word creative non-fiction piece on Mt Kenya's disappearing glaciers. Include at least one interview with an elder who remembers the glaciers, one data point, and one scene of imagined future visitors finding nothing.

🔢 Mathematics

Primary · Multiplication & Real World Data

How Many Litres Does Our School Need?

Opening question

"If each person needs 3 litres of water per day, how much water does our whole school need in a week?"

1
Learners estimate individually, then compare with a partner. 2 min
2
Calculate together: number of learners × 3 litres × 7 days. 3 min
3
"Where does that water come from? What happens if the well runs low?" — pairs discuss. 3 min
4
Bridge: multiplication as a tool for resource planning. Career link. 1 min

MultiplicationWater Resources💧 Water Resource Engineer

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Calculate how much water the whole school year uses. Compare to how much a solar borehole pump can supply per day. Is there enough?

🔢 Mathematics

Primary · Arrays & Large Numbers

The Maize Cob Counting Game

Opening question

"A maize cob has about 16 rows of kernels and 40 kernels per row. How many kernels on one cob?"

1
Learners estimate, then calculate: 16 × 40 = 640. 2 min
2
"A farmer has 500 cobs. How many kernels total?" — pairs calculate. 3 min
3
"If each kernel can grow a new plant, how many plants?" — introduce scale. 3 min
4
Bridge to arrays, multiplication, and agricultural data. 1 min

Arrays & MultiplicationAgriculture🌾 Agricultural Data Analyst

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Research how many kg of maize Kenya produces per year. Convert kernels to weight. How does Kenya compare to its neighbours?

🔢 Mathematics

Junior Secondary · Division & Payback Periods

Solar Panel Payback Period

Opening question

"A solar panel costs KSh 30,000. It saves KSh 800 per month on electricity. How long before it pays for itself?"

1
Learners calculate: 30,000 ÷ 800 = 37.5 months. 2 min
2
"The panel lasts 25 years. What is the total saving after payback?" — calculate. 3 min
3
"Is solar a good investment for a Kenyan family? What other costs might there be?" — discuss. 3 min
4
Bridge to division, equations, and long-term financial modelling. 1 min

Division & EquationsGreen Finance☀️ Renewable Energy Analyst

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Compare payback periods for solar vs. a diesel generator. Plot both on a cost-over-time graph. At what year do they cross?

🔢 Mathematics

Senior Secondary · Statistics & Probability

Drought Probability in Marsabit

Opening question

"In Marsabit, drought occurs roughly 3 out of every 10 years. What is the probability of two consecutive drought years?"

1
Learners draw a probability tree diagram for two years. 3 min
2
Calculate: P(drought year 1) × P(drought year 2) = 0.3 × 0.3 = 0.09. 2 min
3
"How does this affect a farmer's planning? Insurance?" — discuss real-world applications. 3 min
4
Bridge to probability, tree diagrams, and decision-making under uncertainty. 1 min

ProbabilityClimate Risk📊 Climate Risk Actuary

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Model the probability of at least one drought in a 10-year period. How does the answer change if climate change increases drought frequency to 5 in 10 years?

🗣️ Kiswahili

Shule ya Msingi · Mazungumzo

Mazungumzo ya Mazingira

Swali la ufunguzi

"Je, umewahi kuona mto au ziwa ukikauka? Ulihisi nini?"

1
Wanafunzi wazungumze kwa jozi kwa dakika 2 kuhusu mabadiliko wanayoyaona mazingiraa. 2 dak
2
Jadili maneno muhimu: ukame, mafuriko, mvua, hali ya hewa, mazingira. 3 dak
3
Wanafunzi watengeneze sentensi moja kwa Kiswahili kuhusu mazingira yao. 3 dak
4
Tangazia somo la vivumishi na vitenzi vya mazingira. 1 dak

MazungumzoMazingira🌿 Mwandishi wa Mazingira

✓ Hakuna vifaa vinavyohitajika

Upanuzi

Wanafunzi waandike aya fupi kwa Kiswahili kuhusu tatizo la mazingira katika jamii yao — ukame, uchafuzi wa maji, au ukataji miti.

🗣️ Kiswahili

Shule ya Sekondari · Ushairi

Shairi la Mvua

Swali la ufunguzi

"Soma shairi fupi la asili kuhusu mvua. Maneno gani yanakufanya uhisi mvua?"

1
Jadili maneno yenye nguvu kutoka katika shairi. 2 dak
2
Wanafunzi waandike mistari 4 ya mashairi kuhusu msimu wa mvua — vina vinahitajika. 4 dak
3
Wanafunzi 2-3 wasimame na kusoma kwa sauti. 2 dak
4
Tangazia somo la ushairi, vina, na lugha ya picha. 1 dak

UshairiHali ya Hewa✍️ Mshairi wa Mazingira

✓ Hakuna vifaa vinavyohitajika

Upanuzi

Tengeneza diwani fupi (mashairi 4) yenye mada ya hifadhi ya mazingira. Wasilisha kwa darasa kama usomaji wa mshairi.

🗣️ Kiswahili

Sekondari ya Juu · Hotuba Rasmi

Hotuba ya Vijana wa COP

Swali la ufunguzi

"Unawakilisha Kenya kwenye mkutano wa hali ya hewa wa dunia — COP. Una dakika moja. Unasema nini?"

1
Wanafunzi waandike hotuba fupi: tatizo + suluhisho + wito wa hatua. 3 dak
2
Wanafunzi 3-4 wasimame na kusoma hotuba zao. 4 dak
3
Jadili: hotuba ipi ilikuwa na nguvu zaidi? Kwa nini? 2 dak
4
Tangazia muundo wa hotuba rasmi na lugha ya kushawishi. 1 dak

Hotuba RasmiHaki ya Hali ya Hewa🌍 Mjumbe wa Kimataifa

✓ Hakuna vifaa vinavyohitajika

Upanuzi

Andika hotuba kamili (maneno 200) ya kusema mbele ya mkutano wa kimataifa. Jumuisha takwimu halisi kutoka Kenya.

🧬 Biology

Junior Secondary · Symbiosis & Ecosystems

Coral Bleaching and the Symbiosis Breakdown

Opening question

"Coral looks like rock, but it's alive. It survives because of tiny algae living inside it. What happens when the ocean gets too warm?"

1
"Imagine your gut bacteria suddenly dying. What would happen to you?" — analogy to symbiosis breakdown. 2 min
2
Reveal: warm water stresses the algae, coral expels them — turning white (bleaching) and eventually dying. 2 min
3
"Kenya's coral reefs at Malindi and Watamu are already bleaching. What does this mean for fishing communities?" 4 min
4
Bridge to symbiosis, mutualism, and the effects of temperature on biological relationships. Career link. 1 min

SymbiosisMarine Biology🌊 Marine Biologist

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Research the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute coral monitoring programme. What percentage of Kenya's reefs are currently bleached or degraded?

🧬 Biology

Junior Secondary · Adaptation & Biomimicry

The Namib Beetle's Water Trick

Opening question

"A beetle in the Namib Desert collects water from fog using bumps on its back. Engineers copied this to create fog nets for water-scarce regions. What other animals might have solutions humans haven't discovered yet?"

1
Learners brainstorm 5 organisms and guess what engineering problem their adaptation might solve. 3 min
2
Share examples: shark skin (swimsuits), gecko feet (dry adhesives), termite mounds (cooling). 3 min
3
"Which Kenyan animal or plant has an adaptation that could solve a local problem?" — pairs discuss. 2 min
4
Bridge to biomimicry, adaptation, and the applied value of biodiversity. Career link. 1 min

AdaptationBiomimicry🔬 Biomimicry Engineer

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Design a "fog net" inspired by the Namib beetle for a water-scarce Kenyan community. What materials would you use? How much water could it collect per day?

🧬 Biology

Senior Secondary · Genetics & Ethics

CRISPR in the Maize Field

Opening question

"Scientists used CRISPR gene editing to develop maize that survives drought with 30% less water. Should Kenya adopt it?"

1
Groups argue from different perspectives: farmer, environmentalist, scientist, government. 4 min
2
"What is the precautionary principle? When should we apply it to new technology?" — class discussion. 3 min
3
Bridge to gene editing, biotechnology ethics, and Kenya's biosafety regulations. Career link. 2 min

GeneticsBiotechnology Ethics🌾 Agricultural Biotechnologist

✓ Zero materials needed

Teacher note

Kenya approved GMO maize for planting in 2022, making it one of the first African countries to do so. This is a genuinely live debate in Kenyan agriculture policy.

⚗️ Chemistry

Junior Secondary · Carbon Chemistry

From CO₂ to Biochar

Opening question

"Farmers in Kenya are turning crop waste into a black substance called biochar and burying it. It stores carbon for hundreds of years and improves soil. What elements are in biochar?"

1
Learners identify: mainly carbon, some hydrogen, oxygen, and minerals. 2 min
2
Draw a simple carbon flow: atmosphere → plant photosynthesis → burning (pyrolysis) → biochar → soil. 3 min
3
"Why does pyrolysis store carbon instead of releasing it as CO₂?" — discuss the absence of oxygen. 3 min
4
Bridge to carbon chemistry, combustion, and carbon storage. Career link. 1 min

Carbon ChemistryClimate Solutions🌱 Biochar Technologist

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Research how carbon credits work. If a Kenyan farmer produces 5 tonnes of biochar per hectare per year and earns $50 per tonne of stored carbon, what is their annual carbon income?

⚗️ Chemistry

Junior Secondary · Dissolved Substances & Testing

Nairobi River Water Quality

Opening question

"The Nairobi River runs through one of Africa's largest cities. What chemicals might you find in it — and where did they come from?"

1
Learners brainstorm pollutants: industrial effluent, sewage, detergents, heavy metals, pesticides. 2 min
2
"How would you test for each? What is pH? What does a pH below 7 indicate?" — pairs discuss. 3 min
3
"Which pollutants are most dangerous for the communities downstream who use this water?" 3 min
4
Bridge to dissolved substances, pH, and water treatment chemistry. Career link. 1 min

Dissolved SubstancesWater Chemistry🧪 Water Quality Analyst

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Research the Kenya Water Act and NEMA standards for water quality. Design a simple community water testing protocol using pH strips and turbidity observations.

⚗️ Chemistry

Senior Secondary · Electrolysis & Green Hydrogen

Green Hydrogen from the Rift Valley

Opening question

"Kenya's geothermal steam could power electrolysis to split water into hydrogen and oxygen — creating 'green hydrogen' with zero CO₂ emissions. Write the balanced equation."

1
Learners write: 2H₂O → 2H₂ + O₂. Identify what is oxidised and reduced. 3 min
2
"Why is this called 'green' hydrogen? What would make it 'grey'?" — discuss energy source. 2 min
3
"What are the storage and transport challenges for hydrogen?" — pairs discuss. 3 min
4
Bridge to electrolysis, oxidation-reduction, and the hydrogen economy. Career link. 1 min

ElectrolysisGreen Energy Chemistry⚡ Green Hydrogen Engineer

✓ Zero materials needed

Teacher note

Kenya is actively exploring green hydrogen exports to Europe. The combination of geothermal energy and a skilled workforce makes Kenya potentially competitive in the global hydrogen market by 2035.

⚡ Physics

Junior Secondary · Pressure & Atmosphere

Why Does the Wind Blow?

Opening question

"Stand by a window. Can you feel the air moving? Why is it moving at all?"

1
Learners guess: hot air rises, cold air falls, creates pressure differences. 2 min
2
Explain: land heats faster than ocean. Hot land air rises → cool ocean air rushes in → coastal breeze. Kenya benefits hugely from this for wind power. 3 min
3
"Lake Turkana Wind Farm has 365 turbines. Why is Turkana so windy?" — map the pressure patterns. 3 min
4
Bridge to air pressure, convection, and atmospheric physics. Career link. 1 min

Air PressureConvection💨 Wind Energy Engineer

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Lake Turkana Wind Farm generates 310 MW. Kenya's total demand is approximately 2,200 MW. What percentage does LTWP supply? Research why this percentage varies by season.

⚡ Physics

Senior Secondary · Thermodynamics & Geophysics

Geothermal Energy from the Rift Valley

Opening question

"Kenya generates over 800 MW from geothermal at Olkaria — more than any African country. What is the physics that makes this possible?"

1
Learners explain the chain: Earth's internal heat → steam → turbine → generator → electricity. 3 min
2
"Why does the Rift Valley have such high geothermal activity?" — tectonic plates, magma proximity. 2 min
3
Calculate: if 800 MW powers 2 million homes, and Kenya has 15 million homes, what % are geothermally powered? 3 min
4
Bridge to thermodynamics, heat engines, and geophysics. Career link. 1 min

ThermodynamicsEnergy Conversion🌋 Geothermal Engineer

✓ Zero materials needed

Teacher note

Kenya exports geothermal expertise to Ethiopia, Uganda, and Tanzania. KenGen engineers are among the most sought-after energy professionals in East Africa — a genuinely Kenyan green economy success story.

🌾 Agriculture

Primary · Climate-Smart Crop Selection

Which Seed Would You Choose?

Opening question

"You are a farmer in Kitui. The rains are unpredictable. You can plant maize (needs lots of rain) or orange-fleshed sweet potato (drought-tolerant). Which do you choose and why?"

1
Learners choose a side and defend in pairs. 2 min
2
Share data: drought frequency in Kenya's ASALs has increased significantly since 2000. Which crop is a better bet? 2 min
3
"What does 'climate-smart' farming mean? Can we grow both — and why might that be best?" 4 min
4
Bridge to crop selection, climate adaptation, and food security. Career link. 1 min

Crop SelectionClimate Adaptation🌱 Agricultural Extension Officer

✓ Zero materials needed

Teacher note

ChildFund runs Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato programmes in Uganda and Zambia. OFSP is both drought-tolerant and rich in Vitamin A — addressing two Kenyan challenges simultaneously.

🌾 Agriculture

Primary · Water Footprint

Water Per Kilogram

Opening question

"It takes 1,500 litres of water to produce 1 kg of maize. It takes 15,000 litres to produce 1 kg of beef. Does that surprise you?"

1
"If Kenya produces 3 million tonnes of maize per year, how much water is used?" — group estimation. 3 min
2
"How does what we eat affect water resources?" — pairs discuss sustainable food choices. 3 min
3
Bridge to water footprint, sustainable food systems, and agricultural resource use. Career link. 2 min

Water FootprintFood Systems💧 Food Systems Researcher

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Design a "water-efficient school lunch menu" using locally grown Kenyan foods. Calculate total water footprint per learner per meal and compare to a meat-heavy alternative.

🌾 Agriculture

Junior Secondary · Soil Ecology

The Soil Food Web is Hungry

Opening question

"Who lives in soil?" — rapid responses: worms, bacteria, fungi, beetles, roots... "What happens if we remove one?"

1
Learners stand and form a food web — each person names what they eat, holding imaginary strings. 3 min
2
"Remove one: pesticides kill all beetles. What happens?" — cascade effects through the web. 3 min
3
"How do organic farmers keep the soil food web healthy?" — link to practices. 2 min
4
Bridge to soil ecology, biodiversity, and organic farming principles. Career link. 1 min

Soil EcologyOrganic Farming🌍 Soil Ecologist

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Dig up two soil samples — one from a garden, one from under tarmac or hard-packed earth. Count the visible organisms in each. What does the difference tell you about soil health?

🎨 Creative Arts

Primary · Colour & Landscape

Colours of Drought and Rain

Opening question

"Without using green or blue, draw a 'dry season' landscape in 3 minutes using only the colours in your pencil case."

1
Learners draw for 3 minutes — no rules except no green or blue. 3 min
2
"Now add just three marks of a different colour that shows water arriving. What changes?" 2 min
3
Gallery walk — learners observe each other's work. What colours did people choose? Why? 3 min
4
Bridge to colour as emotional and symbolic language — landscape painting as environmental storytelling. Career link. 1 min

Colour TheoryEnvironmental Art🖼️ Environmental Artist

Materials: Learners' own pencils/pens

Extension

Create a triptych (three panels): dry season, flooding, and a climate-adapted future. Use colour consistently to tell the emotional story across all three.

🎨 Creative Arts

Primary · Sound & Observation

Ecosystem Sound Map

Opening question

"Close your eyes for 60 seconds and listen to every sound around you. Then draw a map of what you heard."

1
Silence for 60 seconds — total listening. 1 min
2
Learners map sounds as symbols — circles for distance, marks for direction, sizes for volume. 4 min
3
"What sounds would a Maasai Mara savanna make at dawn? How would your map look different?" 3 min
4
Bridge to soundscape art, environmental observation, and art as documentation. Career link. 1 min

Soundscape ArtEnvironmental Observation🎬 Nature Documentary Producer

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Record soundscapes at school at 7am, 12pm, and 4pm. How do they differ? Create a visual artwork that represents all three soundscapes together.

🏛️ History & Citizenship

Junior Secondary · Environmental History

Wangari Maathai's First Tree

Opening question

"In 1977, Wangari Maathai planted seven trees in her backyard in Nairobi. By 2011, the movement she founded had planted 51 million trees across Africa. What made one person's action this powerful?"

1
"What did she face? Who opposed her?" — learners recall or hypothesise. 2 min
2
Reveal: arrested multiple times, vilified by Moi's government, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. 2 min
3
"What rights and laws does Kenya now have because of her work?" — Constitution 2010, environmental protections. 3 min
4
Bridge to civic agency, environmental movements, and Kenyan constitutional history. Career link. 1 min

Environmental HistoryCivic Agency🌳 Conservation Advocate

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Research Article 42 of Kenya's 2010 Constitution — the right to a clean and healthy environment. Find one court case where it has been invoked to protect a Kenyan community from environmental harm.

🏛️ History & Citizenship

Senior Secondary · Land Rights & Colonial History

Who Owned the Land?

Opening question

"Before 1895, there was no Kenya. How was land managed? Who had the right to use forests, rivers, and grazing land?"

1
Discuss indigenous land management systems: Maasai grazing rotation, Kikuyu clan land tenure. 3 min
2
"What changed under colonial rule? Who lost what? What were the consequences for ecosystems?" 3 min
3
"How does historical land dispossession still affect climate vulnerability today?" — debate. 2 min
4
Bridge to land rights, colonial history, and environmental justice. Career link. 1 min

Land RightsEnvironmental Justice⚖️ Land Rights Lawyer

✓ Zero materials needed

Teacher note

Kenya's Maasai and other pastoralist communities have some of the highest climate vulnerability in the country — partly because colonial land laws disrupted traditional adaptive strategies like seasonal migration.

💼 Business Studies

Junior Secondary · Circular Economy

The Jua Kali Green Economy

Opening question

"Jua Kali artisans in Kamukunji make pots from scrap metal. E-waste recyclers in Mombasa extract copper from old electronics. Are these businesses part of a 'green economy'?"

1
"What makes an economy 'green'? Does it have to be formal? Does intention matter?" — class discussion. 3 min
2
Learners list 10 informal businesses in their area that could be described as circular or green. 3 min
3
"How could these businesses grow if they were formalised and supported?" — discuss barriers and opportunities. 2 min
4
Bridge to circular economy, informal sector, and sustainable entrepreneurship. Career link. 1 min

Circular EconomyInformal Sector💡 Social Entrepreneur

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Design a business plan for a Jua Kali enterprise that turns a local waste stream into a valuable product. Include a simple revenue model and identify three potential customers.

💼 Business Studies

Senior Secondary · Carbon Markets

Carbon Market 101

Opening question

"A company in London pays a Kenyan farmer KSh 500 per tonne of carbon stored by trees on their farm. Is this a good deal for Kenya?"

1
Calculate: 1 hectare of trees stores ~5 tonnes/year × KSh 500 = KSh 2,500/year/hectare. Compare to maize income from the same hectare (~KSh 20,000–40,000). 3 min
2
"Is this fair? Who benefits most? What are the risks for the farmer?" — debate. 3 min
3
"How could Kenya negotiate better carbon prices?" — introduce market economics and negotiating power. 2 min
4
Bridge to carbon markets, valuation, trade-offs, and global economic linkages. Career link. 1 min

Carbon MarketsGreen Finance📊 Carbon Market Analyst

✓ Zero materials needed

Teacher note

Kenya is Africa's most active country in voluntary carbon markets, with projects across forestry, cookstoves, and soil carbon. The market is growing fast but controversies around pricing and fairness are very real.

💻 ICT

Junior Secondary · Remote Sensing & AI

Satellite Eyes on Deforestation

Opening question

"NASA satellites photograph every forest on Earth every 16 days. Scientists use AI to detect deforestation within 48 hours of it happening. How?"

1
"What is remote sensing? How does a computer 'see' forest cover from a satellite image?" — pairs discuss. 2 min
2
"What data would the algorithm need? What counts as a 'positive' detection of deforestation?" — introduce image classification. 3 min
3
"What are false positives? What happens if an algorithm incorrectly flags farmland as deforestation?" — discuss consequences. 3 min
4
Bridge to image classification, machine learning, and environmental monitoring. Career link. 1 min

Remote SensingAI & Machine Learning🛰️ GIS Developer

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Explore Global Forest Watch (globalforestwatch.org) and find Kenya's deforestation hotspots from the last 5 years. Which counties have lost the most forest cover?

💻 ICT

Senior Secondary · Fintech & IoT

M-PESA for Solar: Digital Finance and Energy Access

Opening question

"Over 1 million rural Kenyan households pay for solar home systems in daily micro-installments via M-PESA. What software and data systems make this possible?"

1
Learners sketch the data flow: payment confirmation → server → device activation. 3 min
2
"What happens if someone misses a payment? How does the system know to deactivate the device?" — IoT and device management. 3 min
3
"This model is now used in 20+ countries. What made Kenya the place it was invented?" — discuss M-PESA's origins. 2 min
4
Bridge to fintech, API design, IoT, and digital financial inclusion. Career link. 1 min

Fintech & IoTDigital Inclusion📱 Solar Fintech Developer

✓ Zero materials needed

Teacher note

M-KOPA, the company that pioneered this model in Kenya, is now valued at over $1 billion. Kenyan software engineers and product managers were central to its development — a genuine Kenyan tech success story.

⚽ Physical & Health Education

Primary · Nutrition & Energy

Energy In, Energy Out

Opening question

"We eat ugali and sukuma wiki for lunch. Where does that energy go?"

1
Do 30 seconds of jumping jacks. "What did you just feel? Heat? Breath? Heartbeat?" 2 min
2
"When we run, where does the energy come from? What is our 'fuel'?" — learners connect food to movement. 3 min
3
"A school in Turkana has no clean water. How does this affect children's energy and their ability to learn?" — connect health to environment. 3 min
4
Bridge to nutrition, metabolism, energy balance, and health equity. Career link. 1 min

Nutrition & EnergyHealth Equity🏥 Community Health Worker

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Design a "climate-resilient school menu" using locally available Kenyan foods that provides sufficient energy for active children even during a drought year.

⚽ Physical & Health Education

Junior Secondary · Hydration & Performance

Water = Performance

Opening question

"A runner who is 2% dehydrated performs 20% worse. Does that surprise you? How much water have you drunk today?"

1
Quick show of hands: who has drunk more than 1 litre today? More than 2 litres? (Most haven't.) 1 min
2
"How does access to clean water affect athletes in Kenya differently from Europe?" — discuss inequality. 3 min
3
"Kenya produces the world's best marathon runners. What role does altitude, diet, and water play?" 4 min
4
Bridge to hydration science, clean water access, and health equity. Career link. 1 min

Hydration & PerformanceWASH & Health🏃 Sports Scientist

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Research the link between school WASH facilities and girls' school attendance in Kenya. How many schools in Kenya still lack adequate clean water access?

🕊️ Life Skills

Primary · Environmental Ethics

Who is My Neighbour? (Environmental Version)

Opening question

"The farmer upstream cuts all the trees. The farmer downstream loses water. Are they neighbours? Do they have responsibility to each other?"

1
"What does it mean to be a good neighbour to someone you've never met — including future generations?" 3 min
2
Connect to principles of stewardship from learners' own religious or ethical traditions. 3 min
3
"Is the environment something we own, or something we borrow?" — open discussion. 2 min
4
Bridge to environmental ethics, intergenerational justice, and shared responsibility. Career link. 1 min

Environmental EthicsStewardship🌍 Environmental Ethicist

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Research the Ubuntu philosophy — "I am because we are." How does this apply to environmental responsibility? Write a short reflection on what Ubuntu means for climate action.

🕊️ Life Skills

Junior Secondary · Decision-Making

The Decision Tree

Opening question

"A company offers your village money to cut down a protected forest. The village needs the money for a school. What do you do?"

1
Learners draw a decision tree: options → consequences → who is affected. 3 min
2
Small groups argue different sides: economic need vs. conservation vs. compromise solutions. 4 min
3
"Is there a choice that honours both needs? What would Ubuntu say?" 2 min
4
Bridge to ethical decision-making, stakeholder analysis, and moral reasoning. Career link. 1 min

Ethical Decision-MakingStakeholder Analysis⚖️ Community Mediator

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Research a real case in Kenya where a community faced the choice between economic development and environmental protection. What decision was made? What were the long-term outcomes?

🌿 Environmental Science

Senior Secondary · EIA & Governance

Environmental Impact Assessment Simulation

Opening question

"A company wants to build a dam on the Ewaso Ng'iro River. You are the EIA team. What do you need to investigate?"

1
Groups each take one aspect: water, biodiversity, communities, agriculture, cultural sites. 3 min
2
Groups report back: key questions and red flags for their aspect. 3 min
3
"Should the dam be built? What conditions would make it acceptable?" — class decision. 2 min
4
Bridge to EIA processes, environmental governance, and stakeholder consultation. Career link. 1 min

Environmental AssessmentGovernance📋 EIA Specialist

✓ Zero materials needed

Extension

Read Kenya's Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA). What are the legal requirements for an EIA in Kenya? Who has the right to participate in the public consultation?

🌿 Environmental Science

Senior Secondary · Green Building & Adaptation

Designing a Climate-Resilient School

Opening question

"Redesign this school building to be climate-resilient and net-zero carbon by 2050. You have 5 minutes. Sketch your design and list 5 key features."

1
Groups sketch designs: solar, rainwater harvesting, green roofs, passive cooling, biodiverse grounds. 5 min
2
Groups present their designs quickly — 30 seconds each. 3 min
3
"Which features are most cost-effective? Which have the biggest impact?" — class evaluates. 2 min
4
Bridge to green building design, systems thinking, and climate adaptation planning. Career link. 1 min

Green ArchitectureClimate Adaptation🏛️ Green Architect

Materials: Paper and pen for sketching

Extension

Calculate the solar panel area needed to power your school. Using KSh per watt installed costs, what would it cost? Research Kenya's school solar programme to see if your school qualifies.

🔍

No activities match this filter combination

Kenya · Secondary & TVET · Partner Organisations

Work-Integrated Learning Programme

Real placements. Real mentors. Real impact. Connecting Form 3–4 and TVET students to verified partner organisations at the frontier of Kenya's regenerative economy — through structured internships, co-designed projects, field attachments, and mentorship tracks.

🌱 Renewable Energy 🌾 AgriTech & Agroforestry 💧 WASH & Water Systems ♻️ Circular Economy 🐟 Blue Economy 🏙️ Green Urbanism

6WIL Sectors aligned to regenerative economy

30+Potential partner organisations across Kenya

4WIL models: placement, project, mentorship, field

5Curriculum domains integrated per placement

16–19Target age range (Form 3–4 & TVET Year 1–2)

The Four WIL Models

🏢

Structured Placement

4–8 weeks · Partner workplace

Student embedded in partner with a named supervisor
Weekly reflection log linked to curriculum outcomes
End-of-placement presentation to school and partner
Assessed jointly by teacher and workplace mentor (50/50)
Transport and safety MOU signed by all parties

🔬

Co-Designed Project

One term · School + partner co-owned

Partner sets a real challenge; student teams propose solutions
Mentor visits school twice per term; students visit site once
Final prototype or brief submitted to partner
Winning solutions eligible for CSR seed funding
Suitable for schools with limited transport

🎓

Mentorship Track

Full year · Monthly touchpoints

Each student matched to one industry professional (12 months)
Monthly 1-hr session; career pathway mapping
Mentor introduces student to at least two professional contacts
Volunteers or light honorarium; trained by Kyndo
Priority pairing: girls to women in STEM leadership

🌍

Field Attachment

2–5 days · Structured site visit

School visits partner site (farm, plant, coast, lab)
Students complete structured observation and data task
Data feeds back into classroom analysis
Lowest barrier entry — suitable for Form 1–2
Partner provides guide; school provides curriculum link

Secondary & TVET Integration Framework

Level	WIL Mode	Duration	Assessment	Curriculum Links
Form 1–2	Field Attachment	2–3 days/year	Observation journal; class presentation (ungraded)	Environmental · Social
Form 3	Co-Designed Project	One term	Project report + partner assessment = 15% of term mark	Economic · Environmental
Form 4	Structured Placement	4 weeks (holidays)	Workplace log + school interview = KCSE coursework	All six domains
TVET Year 1	Structured Placement	6 weeks	Competency sign-off; KNQA unit standard credit	Pedagogical + Economic
TVET Year 2	Extended Industry Attachment	12 weeks	Portfolio of evidence; mentor final report = 30% KNQA	All domains; specialisation
All Levels	Mentorship Track	12 months (parallel)	Reflection log; career pathway plan	Pedagogical Framework

🌞

Sector 1 — Renewable Energy & Clean Technology

Solar PV, geothermal, wind, e-mobility and green building — Kenya's fastest-growing employment sector

MKOPA

M-KOPA Solar

Private · Nairobi HQ · 15 counties

East Africa's largest pay-as-you-go solar company, 3M+ customers. Direct entry into the solar supply chain — installation to data analytics.

🔧 Solar Installation📊 Data Analytics🎓 Technician Mentorship

👥 20 students/term

📍 Nairobi, Kisumu, Eldoret

🏫 TVET Year 1–2

KenGen

KenGen — Kenya Electricity Generating Company

State Enterprise · Olkaria, Nairobi

Operates 80% of Kenya's installed capacity including the 865 MW Olkaria Geothermal Complex — the largest in Africa.

🌋 Geothermal Attachment⚡ Grid Operations🎓 Engineering Mentorship

👥 10 students/term

📍 Olkaria, Nairobi

🏫 Form 4 + TVET

BURN

BURN Manufacturing

Private · Ruiru, Kiambu County

Africa's largest cookstove manufacturer, producing fuel-efficient and solar-electric cooking solutions that reduce household emissions by up to 70%.

🏭 Manufacturing Floor📐 Product Design♻️ Circular Waste Audit

👥 15 students/term

📍 Ruiru factory

🏫 TVET Year 1–2

BasiGo

BasiGo — Electric Bus Company

Private · Nairobi · E-Mobility

Kenya's leading electric bus company deploying zero-emission public transit across Nairobi. EV maintenance, charging infrastructure, and mobility data placements.

⚡ EV Technician🗺️ Mobility Data Project🎓 Engineer Mentorship

👥 8 students/term

📍 Nairobi depot

🏫 TVET Year 1–2

🌾

Sector 2 — AgriTech, Agroforestry & Food Systems

Climate-smart agriculture, precision farming, agroforestry — the backbone of Kenya's rural economy and green transition

TWG

Twiga Foods / iProcure

Private · Nairobi · Agri Supply Chain

Digitises agricultural supply chains connecting smallholder farmers to urban markets — reducing food waste and improving farmer income.

📦 Supply Chain🌾 Farmer Engagement📊 Market Data Analysis

👥 12 students/term

📍 Nairobi, Machakos

🏫 Form 3–4 + TVET

ICRAF

World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF)

Int'l Research · Gigiri, Nairobi

Global leader in agroforestry research. Students contribute to tree nurseries, biodiversity monitoring, and community training across East Africa.

🌳 Tree Nursery📡 Carbon Monitoring🎓 Researcher Mentorship

👥 8 students/term

📍 Nairobi + field sites

🏫 Form 4 + TVET Year 2

Sanergy

Sanergy / Amini Organics

Social Enterprise · Nairobi · Waste-to-Ag

Converts urban waste into premium organic fertiliser. Students see circular economy in action — waste collection, bioconversion, product formulation, farmer distribution.

♻️ Bioconversion🌾 Farmer Extension📊 Soil Health Monitoring

👥 10 students/term

📍 Nairobi (Mukuru)

🏫 Form 3–4 + TVET

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Sector 3 — WASH, Water Systems & Climate Resilience

Safe water, sanitation, flood management — critical services in an era of increasing climate stress

WSUP

Water & Sanitation for the Urban Poor

NGO · Nairobi · Urban WASH

Improves water and sanitation access across informal settlements in Nairobi, Kisumu and Mombasa. Students work on pipeline surveys, water quality testing, and behaviour change campaigns.

🔧 System Maintenance🧪 Water Quality📣 Community Mobilisation

👥 12 students/term

📍 Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa

🏫 Form 3–4 + TVET

ChildFund

ChildFund Kenya — Solar WASH Programme

NGO · Kenya-wide · Community WASH

Solar-powered WASH systems across Kenya. Students embedded in project implementation — solar pump installation, community training, monitoring data collection.

☀️ Solar Pump Installation📋 Behaviour Change📊 M&E Data Project

👥 20 students/term

📍 Multiple counties

🏫 Form 3–4 + TVET

♻️

Sector 4 — Circular Economy & Waste-to-Resource

Recycling, upcycling enterprises, bio-materials — fast-growing in Kenya's urban centres

GIZ

GIZ — Circular Economy Programme Kenya

Development Agency · Nairobi

Supports waste pickers, recycling enterprises and policy reform across Nairobi and Mombasa. Students support business model analysis, value chain mapping, and community enterprise development.

🗂️ Value Chain Project🏢 Enterprise Development📜 Policy Brief

👥 6 students/term

📍 Nairobi, Mombasa

🏫 Form 4 + TVET Year 2

Gjenge

Gjenge Makers

Social Enterprise · Nairobi · Plastic Bricks

Converting plastic waste into construction bricks stronger than concrete — founded by Nzambi Matee (UN Young Champion of the Earth). Material science, production engineering, and social enterprise.

🧱 Production Placement🔬 Material Science💡 Social Enterprise Mentorship

👥 8 students/term

📍 Nairobi

🏫 Form 3–4 + TVET

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Sector 5 — Blue Economy & Coastal Livelihoods

Fisheries, marine conservation, coastal resilience — Kenya's Indian Ocean and Great Lakes assets

KMFRI

Kenya Marine & Fisheries Research Institute

Government Research · Mombasa

Kenya's national marine research body, conducting fisheries stock assessments, coral reef monitoring, and coastal ecosystem research. Students assist with field surveys and data collection.

🌊 Coral Survey🐟 Fish Stock Assessment🎓 Researcher Mentorship

👥 8 students/term

📍 Mombasa, Shimoni

🏫 Form 4 + TVET Year 2

LTWP

Lake Turkana Wind Power

Private · Loiyangalani, Marsabit

Africa's largest wind farm (310 MW) in one of the most remote and climate-challenged regions of Kenya — a unique opportunity to connect renewable energy to pastoral community resilience.

💨 Wind Turbine Operations📊 Environmental Monitoring🎓 Engineer Mentorship

👥 6 students/term

📍 Loiyangalani (transport provided)

🏫 TVET Year 2

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Sector 6 — Green Urbanism, GIS & Climate Policy

Urban planning, GIS, climate policy, advocacy — the governance layer of Kenya's regenerative transition

NEMA

National Environment Management Authority

Government · Nairobi · Environmental Regulation

Kenya's apex environmental regulator. Students shadow officers on EIA inspections, public participation processes, and compliance monitoring — direct exposure to environmental governance.

📋 EIA Process⚖️ Compliance Monitoring🎓 Policy Officer Mentorship

👥 6 students/term

📍 Nairobi HQ + county offices

🏫 Form 4 + TVET Year 2

UNEP

UNEP — UN Environment Programme

International · Gigiri, Nairobi

UNEP's global headquarters is in Nairobi. Placements in Finance Initiative, Ecosystems, and Climate Action divisions expose students to international policy and multilateral environmental agreements.

🌍 Policy Research📊 Data Analysis🎓 Int'l Policy Mentorship

👥 4 students/term

📍 Gigiri, Nairobi

🏫 TVET Year 2 (competitive)

KCAA

Kenya Climate Action Accelerator

Innovation Hub · Nairobi · Climate Tech Start-ups

Supports climate-tech start-ups across Kenya. Students embedded in 2–3 active start-ups per placement — ideation, prototyping, pitching, and customer discovery.

🚀 Start-up Immersion💡 Innovation Challenge🎓 Entrepreneur Mentorship

👥 10 students/term

📍 Nairobi (Westlands)

🏫 Form 4 + TVET (all years)

Become a WIL Partner Organisation

Partner organisations co-design placement objectives, assign a named mentor, and complete a light-touch assessment report. In return, they access motivated, curriculum-aligned young talent, direct CSR visibility, and the opportunity to shape Kenya's next generation of regenerative economy professionals. Formalised through a simple 2-page MOU between Kyndo, the school, and the organisation.

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