MAKING CLIMATE AND ENERGY EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES ACCESSIBLE THROUGH THE PENNSYLVANIA EARTH SCIENCE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION (PAESTA)

The Pennsylvania Earth Science Teachers Association (PAESTA) is a state affiliate of the National Earth Science Teachers Association (NESTA) and serves over 600 members from 27 states and 6 countries. To advance PAESTA’s mission of facilitating and advancing excellence in Earth and space science education in grades K-12, PAESTA provides online instructional materials developed using high-impact pedagogical practices and aligned with state standards in its PAESTA Classroom. In addition, the PAESTA website hosts a collection of recommended quality teaching resources (books, audio, video, etc.) prepared by organizations such as NOAA, NASA, National Geographic, and others. PAESTA members inquired if there would be an easier way to search through the multiple resources on the PAESTA website by topic. We responded to this request by designing website guides to help teachers find thematic resources on science content, teaching and careers with a new Navigation page under our About section (http://www.paesta.psu.edu/book/navigation). The Navigation guides, along with the entire PAESTA website, are free for all and does not require any registration to access.

Our first Navigation guide was on climate science to tie in to the theme of our November 2016 PAESTA Science Conference. The guide is developed into multiple sections to allow teachers to explore content on and outside the PAESTA website. For example, teachers will find compiled lists and links to PAESTA’s own curricular materials, podcasts, recommended favorite videos and favorite books. The guide also has suggested links to “Outside of PAESTA” science and data resources for teachers to explore from AGI, NOAA, NASA, and the EPA. Teaching and career resources are also provided to help with classroom instruction and promoting awareness of related career opportunities. The second Navigation guide has been created with a focus on energy. PAESTA members have shared their enthusiasm for this Navigation resource.