LESSONS LEARNED FROM A MODEL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT-- C2S2 CLIMATE CHANGE STUDENT SUMMITS

Through a NOAA Environmental Literacy grant, ANDRILL (ANtarctic geological DRILLing) created a unique opportunity for both formal and informal educators to engage their classrooms/audiences in understanding the complexities of climate change. The program, entitled C²S²: Climate Change Student Summits, involved teachers, scientists, and students in learning experiences using cutting-edge materials, culminating in an exciting capstone project.

The C²S²project included an exemplary two-part professional development series for educators at sites located in each of the nine different regions of the U.S. National Climate Assessment, as defined by the U.S. Global Change Research Program. This was done to ensure that different perspectives on climate change were represented in the project. Active involvement of scientists during the workshops provided educators with the latest in scientific research, while building teachers’ background knowledge and their confidence in teaching about climate change.

The program included the creation and use of hands-on curriculum materials from the ELF (Environmental Literacy Framework). These resources provide an Earth systems approach to climate change education; they have been successfully used in grades 5-12 as well as at numerous science museums.

The program also included an in-depth investigative science research and presentation experience for teams of students, culminating in the Climate Change Student Summit, an on-site capstone event including a videoconference connecting all sites.

The C²S²project completed four years of activities with demonstrated positive impacts on teachers, students, and their parents. Successes are based on combining multiple engagement strategies: 1) exemplary professional development designed for both formal and informal educators; 2) providing materials and activities created by teachers with careful scientific review by subject experts; 3) ensuring flexibility in how the program is delivered; 4) and involving the active participation of scientists. From proof of concept experiments at three sites, the program was broadened to reach sites in all nine climate regions.

The significant outcomes and lessons learned from this project will be highlighted, with the aim of contributing to the creation of an informed society.