GSA Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado, USA - 2016

Paper No. 246-3
Presentation Time: 9:00 AM-6:30 PM

CLIMATE CHANGE SCIENCE, POLITICS AND POLICY: ONE MODEL FOR INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACHES PROVIDING SCIENCE AND POLITICAL CONNECTIONS TO INFORM STUDENTS


MILLHAM, Rosemary A., Secondary Education, SUNY New Paltz, 1 hawk drive, old main 134B, New Paltz, NY 12561, millhamr@newpaltz.edu

A model for interdisciplinary courses at the university level can provide deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of various fields of study. Our pilot course focused on the interconnectedness of climate change science, politics and policy. The primary goals: to create informed citizens with the tools necessary to make sense of, and understand, scientific data and the impact that politics and policy have on climate change mitigation, preparedness, and a sustainable future. The course focused how data is collected, how to interpret scientific data, and the misuse of scientific data driving political debate and policy development. Although students shared suggestions for minor curriculum changes, the student evaluation results were such that the course was overwhelmingly successful and will become a general education option in the near future. How does this model work for other interdisciplinary courses?