Government Lesson: Create a Federal Budget
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Created by Teacher(s): Dan Castrigano, Lindsey Pockl|Published on: March 23, 2026
Lesson Plan Created by SubjectToClimate teachers Scientist Reviewed
9101112
Scientist Reviewed This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
In this lesson, students explore long-term thinking, analyze federal spending, and design a government budget that balances present and future needs, culminating in a reflection and discussion on intergenerational responsibility.
Inquire: Students watch a TED video by Roman Krznaric called “How to Be a Good Ancestor.” It allows students to see sustainability from a future perspective.
Investigate: Students explore usaspending.gov and examine spending by federal agencies in the fiscal year 2025. In groups, students design a budget for the federal government. Some students represent people living now, while others represent people living seven generations in the future.
Inspire: Students reflect on what it feels like to represent those living now and those living seven generations in the future. Finally, students share, comment, and deepen each other’s ideas and opinions.
Share: This lesson plan is licensed under Creative Commons.
Related Lessons, Units, and Activities 
Teacher Writer
Dan Castrigano
Academic Teacher at Burlington YouthBuild
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
