"Kids & Space: Bringing the Astronomical Perspective to K-12 Climate Education"
Climate change education is mandated in most K-12 science curricula; for example, it is deeply embedded in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). How can teachers meet this mandate in a way that engages students without raising hackles among many parents? One strategy — and the topic of this panel discussion — is to take advantage of kids’ interest in astronomy and space to build related lessons in global warming science, consequences, and solutions. The four panelists — Wendy Crumine, Christine Hirst Bernhardt, Jeff Bennett, and Courtney Black — are all actively engaged in K-12 climate education and in the development/curation of relevant resources. Each panelist will briefly introduce their thoughts, areas of expertise, and resources, followed by audience Q&A. We hope this panel will be of interest to current teachers, to scientists who would like to engage with K-12 teachers and students, and to those who are engaged in their own resource development.
