Abi Bradford ’15, foreground, and Seth Campbell, assistant professor, use ground penetrating radar to determine the depth of Ruth Glacier in Denali National Park.Photo by Karl Kreutz
Colleagues from the Climate Change Institute work together to strengthen climate education for young people in grade 5–12 in Maine.
Lecturers and employees of the IHK have the Climate education resources website to provide educators with a variety of information materials in one place.
The resources are grouped into five thematic areas: Climate Synthesis and Overview, Climate Data Tools, Simple Climate Models, Video and Virtual Library, and What’s Happening in Maine?
The numerous resources include: videos of research excursions to Everest and Antarctica and Greenland; an ice age hiking map and guide; a list of 10 reasons why climate change is important; Descriptions of how and why ice cores are collected; the Climate Reanalyzer, which shows global weather conditions and changes in climate over time; a talk by CCI Director Paul Mayewski entitled “Climate Change: Scientific Evidence or Alternative Facts”; a link to the Maine Climate and Agriculture Network website, which studies the projected changes in growing seasons and storm intensity; and the Maine’s Climate Future 2020 update, which includes information on the state’s climate change, impact on natural resources, adaptation measures and possible future impacts.
Mayweski and colleagues began work on the project in response to a request from the Maine Department of Education (DOE).
These colleagues are Sean Birkel, research assistant and climatologist for the state of Maine; Daniel Dixon, research assistant professor; Ivan Fernandez, professor; Katie Glover, research fellow; Björn Grigholm, research assistant; Cynthia Isenhour, Associate Professor; Karl Kreutz, professor; Betty Lee, deputy director of the CCI; Kirk Maasch, professor; and Molly Schauffler, Assistant Research Professor.
The use of the DOE includes a request for request Input for more climate and vocational training in response to the state’s adoption of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and the Maine Climate Council’s Four-Year Plan for Climate Action.
The NGSS identifies scientific and technical practices, overarching concepts, and core ideas in science that K-12 students should master in order to prepare for success in college and the 21st century.
“Climate change plays a big role in the next generation of science standards. We know, however, that it can be difficult for teachers to find climate and weather information and data with a focus on Maine in forms that are accessible and engaging for students, ”says Schauffler.
“We hope our efforts will make it easier for students to find out why and how the climate is changing, and what climate change means for their lives and the communities in Maine. We also hope it helps them put any changes they may be experiencing into a global perspective. “
With every resource, the CCI team includes a list of related NGSS and suggested grade levels.
The Maine Council’s Four-Year Climate Change Plan calls for better climate change awareness and education for climate science and clean energy careers.
This also fits with the mission of the CCI to bring research-based knowledge that changes people’s lives and to promote the responsible use of human, natural and financial resources now and in the future.
IHK scientists travel the world to learn more about past and present climates and to understand how human activities can mitigate and adapt to change.
This summer, the group will add more resources and update the site in response to the Feedback and wishes.
Contact: Beth Staples, beth.staples@maine.edu
