amodel%for%teaching%a%climate%change%elec7ve%science% … · 2013-10-23 · sco$%mandia%...

Sco$ Mandia Asst. Chair, Professor

Department of Physical Sciences Suffolk County Community College

A Model for Teaching a Climate Change Elec7ve Science Course at the High School or Community College Level

GSA Annual Mee7ng, Denver October 26, 2013

A Model for Teaching a Climate Change Elec7ve Science Course at the Community College Level


MET103: GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE In the beginning…

•  Wanted LAS students to take 2nd course

•  “Current”

•  Cross-‐discipline

•  Climate change fit wish list



MET103: GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE 3 or not to 3, that was the ques7on

Pros: •  35 instead of 24 students •  BeJer schedule fit for students

Cons: •  No lab, hands-‐on experience

ESS courses were 4 credit, 5 contact hours: lecture/recitaPon/lab

Chose 3 credit lecture mode as experiment – 5 semesters later…



MET103: GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE Textbook

•  Highly visual, easy to read, pragmaPc

•  Topics include:

•  Past climate change •  Modern climate change •  Natural vs. human causes •  Impacts •  SoluPons •  Social & poliPcal hurdles



MET103: GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE Textbook



MET103: GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE Lecture

PowerPoint Slides •  All presentaPons available on Web from

Day 1

•  Follows text in general but offers “extras” from my Web resources (*you are free to use all materials)

•  Highly visual, limited text (do not want dictaPon!)



MET103: GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE Lecture



MET103: GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE Post-‐Lecture “Review”

Facilitator: Moderates discussions, keeps the group on task, assures work is done by all, and makes sure all have opportunity to parPcipate and learn. Recorder/Checker: Takes notes of the group's discussion and prepares a wriJen conclusion. Makes sure that all group members understand the concepts and the group's conclusions. Publicist: Explains group results to all classmates and responds to any quesPons.

Class divided into groups of three, choose main topic(s) -‐ three supporPng details




•  First three lectures, roles rotate •  Later, let students play to their strengths

•  Pros: Reinforces concepts, acPve learning, fun •  Cons: Less content covered




“Should I not have kids?”

Always make it clear to students:

SOLUTIONS & CHOICES to prevent the worst impacts



MET103: GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE Exams

•  Aber each chapter

•  WriJen format (no mulP-‐choice, T/F, fill-‐in)

•  Answer 10 of 14 quesPons (they love this)

•  Ignore lowest score at end of semester



MET103: GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE Exams

What is the single most interes/ng thing you have learned so far in this class? Have you changed anything about your lifestyle because of this class? If so, describe. If not, what might you do in the future? Imagine that you are one of New York’s two state senators. A bill comes before the Senate that will put a tax on carbon in an effort to reduce carbon emissions. This tax will likely raise gasoline prices at least 20 cents per gallon as well as increase the price of home hea/ng oil and electricity. How do you “sell” this tax hike to New Yorkers and to the rest of the country? (If you would vote no, why?) Describe one improvement that could make this course a beNer one for next semester.

Win-‐win: YOU get valuable feedback, they get “freebie”



MET103: GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE Homework

Students use Google News Search to locate climate change-‐related stories that relate to class notes. Rubric used for scoring.




•  Students submit story and summary

•  Students learn. I learn!

•  More confident students look for science denial to correct

* You are free to use this



MET103: GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE Term Paper

•  Choose a myth – 1st come 1st served, chosen topics posted on bullePn board

•  Science in their own words (use rubric as guide)

www.skepPcalscience.com/argument.php



MET103: GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE * You are free to use this



MET103: GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE

www2.sunysuffolk.edu/mandias




climatemandia.wordpress.com




* You are free to use this




You MUST show these DVDs in your class or have students watch online for free

hJp://earththeoperatorsmanual.com/landing/watch-‐share



MET103: GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE www2.sunysuffolk.edu/mandias/

Everything I have is on my website or linked from the short course web site. Please help yourself.

Do not be afraid to send me ques7ons or to describe your successful pedagogy. [email protected]

amodel%for%teaching%a%climate%change%elec7ve%science% … · 2013-10-23 · sco$%mandia%...

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