For Students & Educators
Free resources.
Real science.
Every resource on this page is free to download, grounded in peer-reviewed research, and designed for the classroom. From lesson plans to GIS datasets — everything you need to teach the Andes.
Browse by Collection
Four collections, one mountain range
Lesson Plans
Curriculum-aligned units for secondary and university educators
Research Library
Peer-reviewed summaries and data reports for advanced study
Field Guides
Illustrated species identification guides for Andean ecosystems
Data & Maps
GIS datasets and visualisation tools for classroom analysis
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Featured resources
Glaciers as Water Towers: A Unit on Andean Ice
A four-lesson unit exploring how glaciers form, how they are measured, and what their retreat means for downstream communities. Includes data analysis activities using real USGS and INAIGEM datasets.
The Lithium Paradox: Mining for Green Energy
A structured debate and research unit examining the tension between lithium extraction for electric vehicles and the destruction of Andean salt flat ecosystems. Develops critical thinking and evidence-based argumentation.
Accelerating Glacier Retreat in the Tropical Andes (2000–2024)
A synthesis of satellite and field data documenting the rate and spatial pattern of glacier loss across the tropical Andes over the past 25 years. Includes projections to 2050 under different emissions scenarios.
Field Guide to Andean Birds: 200 Key Species
An illustrated identification guide to 200 ecologically significant Andean bird species, organised by ecosystem zone. Includes range maps, habitat notes, and conservation status for each species.
Andean Glacier Extent Dataset (1970–2024)
A georeferenced dataset of glacier extents across the tropical and subtropical Andes, compiled from Landsat, ASTER, and Sentinel-2 imagery. Suitable for GIS analysis and classroom data exercises.
Full Library
All 16 resources
16 resources found
Glaciers as Water Towers: A Unit on Andean Ice
A four-lesson unit exploring how glaciers form, how they are measured, and what their retreat means for downstream communities. Includes data analysis activities using real USGS and INAIGEM datasets.
The Páramo: Water Factory of the Andes
An inquiry-based lesson exploring the páramo ecosystem, its role in water regulation, and the threats it faces. Students model water retention using soil samples and analyse land-use change maps.
Hotspot! Mapping Andean Biodiversity
Students use species distribution data to understand why the Andes are a global biodiversity hotspot, and model how habitat fragmentation affects population viability.
The Lithium Paradox: Mining for Green Energy
A structured debate and research unit examining the tension between lithium extraction for electric vehicles and the destruction of Andean salt flat ecosystems. Develops critical thinking and evidence-based argumentation.
Land, Water, and Rights: Indigenous Perspectives on Andean Conservation
An interdisciplinary unit combining geography, history, and ethics to explore how indigenous Andean communities relate to their landscapes and how their rights intersect with conservation policy.
Into the Cloud: Exploring Andean Forest Ecosystems
A visual and data-rich introduction to cloud forest ecology for younger secondary students. Includes species identification activities, food web construction, and a guided virtual field trip.
Accelerating Glacier Retreat in the Tropical Andes (2000–2024)
A synthesis of satellite and field data documenting the rate and spatial pattern of glacier loss across the tropical Andes over the past 25 years. Includes projections to 2050 under different emissions scenarios.
Drivers of Deforestation in the Andean Cloud Forest Belt
A multi-country analysis of the economic, political, and social drivers of cloud forest loss, with case studies from Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Freshwater Security in the Andes: A Regional Assessment
An assessment of current and projected freshwater availability across seven Andean countries, examining the combined effects of glacial retreat, páramo degradation, and changing precipitation patterns.
Andean Amphibian Crisis: Status Review and Conservation Priorities
A comprehensive review of the conservation status of Andean amphibians, the role of chytrid fungus, and priority areas for intervention.
Field Guide to Andean Birds: 200 Key Species
An illustrated identification guide to 200 ecologically significant Andean bird species, organised by ecosystem zone. Includes range maps, habitat notes, and conservation status for each species.
Páramo Plants: An Identification Guide to High-Altitude Flora
A visual guide to the characteristic plant families of the páramo, with particular focus on the iconic frailejones (Espeletia) and the mosses and cushion plants that define the landscape.
Andean Mammals: A Conservation Field Guide
Profiles of 80 mammal species found in Andean ecosystems, from the spectacled bear and mountain tapir to the tiny endemic rodents of the high puna. Includes tracking and survey techniques.
Andean Glacier Extent Dataset (1970–2024)
A georeferenced dataset of glacier extents across the tropical and subtropical Andes, compiled from Landsat, ASTER, and Sentinel-2 imagery. Suitable for GIS analysis and classroom data exercises.
Andean Forest Cover Change Maps (2000–2024)
Annual forest cover change maps for the Andean region derived from Global Forest Watch data, packaged for classroom use with simplified attribute tables and a teacher's guide.
Andean Biodiversity Hotspot Maps
Species richness and endemism maps for vertebrates and vascular plants across the Andes, derived from GBIF and IUCN range data. Includes a classroom guide for interpreting biodiversity patterns.
For Educators
All lesson plans are designed to be modular — you can use a single activity or the full unit. Each plan includes learning objectives, background reading, student worksheets, and assessment rubrics.
Resources are tagged by curriculum alignment (geography, biology, environmental science, social studies) and by level (secondary / university). Most secondary resources are suitable for students aged 14–18.
We recommend pairing lesson plans with the corresponding ecosystem or threat profile from this site for richer context. All materials are free to reproduce for educational use.
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