ERIC Number: EJ1184328
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018-Jul
Pages: 9
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0036-8555
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
View from the Top (and the Bottom) of the World
Ylizarde, Natalie Harr; Kiorpes, Lolita Cariaso
Science Teacher, v85 n5 p22-30 Jul 2018
Climate change is complex, requiring critical thinking on both local and global scales. Its effects vary dramatically around the world and require new strategies to help students grasp its complexity, scale, and interrelatedness. This article describes a project to help biology students think critically about climate change from a global perspective. Addressing "dimensions of place" (Gruenewald 2003 and 2014), the authors compare locations around the world to Palmer Station, Antarctica, one of the fastest-warming regions on the planet (Palmer LTER 2017). This article introduces students to the uniqueness of the polar regions and looks specifically at the changing ecosystems of Palmer Station. The authors use a variety of online climate change education resources developed by the first author, who has worked on a research team at Palmer Station for three field seasons (2012, 2016, and 2017). The project culminates with students creating slide show presentations of their research comparing the effects of climate change on Antarctica and on another location of their choosing. This project can be used as an introduction to global climate change or as an extension to existing climate change lessons to add a polar perspective. The project was completed with students in an A-level remedial biology class but can be made more rigorous for honors or AP biology students.
Descriptors: Climate, Change, Environmental Education, Science Instruction, Teaching Methods, Program Descriptions, Biology, Comparative Analysis, Geographic Regions, Educational Resources, Honors Curriculum, Advanced Placement, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills, Prior Learning, Computer Assisted Instruction, Standards, Foreign Countries, Instructional Materials, High School Students
National Science Teachers Association. 1840 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201-3000. Tel: 800-722-6782; Fax: 703-243-3924; e-mail: membership@nsta.org; Web site: http://www.nsta.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: High Schools
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Antarctica
Grant or Contract Numbers: DUE1239758; 1341385; 1341393
Author Affiliations: N/A