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Teaching Climate with Models: Breathing of the Earth
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This Web Seminar took place on June 11, 2012 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern
Time. The presenters were
Dr. Randy Russell, Educational Designer with
the Office of Education and Outreach at the University Corporation for Atmospheric
Research in Boulder, Colorado, and
Dr. Scott Denning, Professor of Atmospheric Science
at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. Dr. Russell and Dr. Denning
presented information on climate models and shared a number of interactive simulations
that can help teachers increase student understanding of key concepts.
The PowerPoint, related resources from the NSTA Learning Center, and web links from
the presentation are now contained in the above resource collection. Clicking on
the collection link will place it in your Learning Center, My Library,
neatly organized under the My Resource Collections tab.
This web seminar is the first in a series examining the use of models (both conceptual
models and computer models) for teaching about the science of climate and global
change. Dr. Russell and Dr. Denning discussed the exchanges of carbon between Earth's
atmosphere, the oceans, and land plants, then explained how human activities have
altered those exchange rates. The presenters also showed participants several interactive
animations that describe the "climate bathtub" model as a way to help students understand
the flow of carbon between various "reservoirs" or "stocks." Finally, the two presenters
gave examples of how the bathtub model can help students overcome their misconceptions
and understand the importance of timely action to reduce our impacts on future climate.
Fifty-two (52) participants were present at the live Web Seminar in addition to
the presenter and NSTA staff. Participating educators represented the states of
Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts,
Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania,
South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. Two participants
joined from locations outside of the United States: Canada and Turkey.
Seminar participants received one of the NSTA SciGuides. A certificate
of attendance was deposited into participants' My PD Record and Certificates
area in the NSTA Learning Center for completing the evaluation form at the end of
the program.
Here are some comments provided by the participants at the end of the Web Seminar:
- “Excellent visuals for teaching climate.”
- “Increased my learning and confidence level for presenting climate change.”
- “The carbon cycle diagram was deeper than any I've ever seen!”
- “Gave me valuable ways to use models (bathtub, faucets and drains) to help my
students in their understanding of the concept of carbon cycle.”
Thanks to the participants and the presenter for the learning opportunity, the interactions,
and a job well done!
For more information contact webseminars@nsta.org
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Underwritten by University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR)
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