Climate Change and STEM Career Preparation: Building a Diverse Workforce
Overview
Big Idea
To successfully adapt to a warming world, we need to engage all students, including underserved populations, in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education experiences enabling further study and creating excitement about STEM careers.
Data Activity
A Picture of U.S Scientists as "Pictured" in the Media
Summary
Recruiting climate-change STEM professionals from all sectors of the U.S. population, so that there are knowledgeable workers representing all communities will help create a diverse workforce to address the spectrum of issues related to our dynamically changing climate. Learn about the kinds of educational experiences that prove effective in exciting students about STEM careers and identify resources that can be used to introduce students to STEM careers, especially careers related to climate change science.
Standards
This module is aligned to the following national learning and curriculum standards:
- Climate Literacy: The Essential Principles of Climate Science
- A Framework for K-12 Science Education
Objectives
In this module, you will:
- Learn about the kinds of educational experiences that prove effective in exciting students about STEM careers.
- Identify resources that can be used to introduce students to thinking about STEM careers, especially careers related to climate change science.
Keeping Notes
Set up a journal to take notes as you participate in this experience. Your journal can be an online tool or offline notebook – whichever works for you and your learning style.
Background Information
In order to maintain and improve US competitiveness in the global economy, we need to harness the creativity and diverse perspectives of all Americans, and ensure broad participation in both established and emerging fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
A recent study warns that there is a "climate gap" that will exacerbate socioeconomic and racial disparities that currently exist in our society. Climate change is expected to disproportionately affect certain sectors of the U.S. population, including the urban poor, migrant populations, as well as other disenfranchised sectors. The effects of climate change will be felt in many ways, from paying higher prices for necessities and job loss, to higher risks of illness and death related to heat waves and extreme weather events.
NASA and PBS
This professional development experience was funded by NASA's Global Climate Change Education Initiative. This initiative is designed to improve the quality of the nation's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and enhance students' and teachers' literacy about global climate and Earth system change from elementary grades to lifelong learners.
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Global Climate Change Modules
Online Professional Development
PBS TeacherLine, the premier provider of online professional development services for PreK-12 educators, has the goal of making professional development accessible, affordable and engaging for teachers. Our hope is that our courses can help inspire and guide STEM learning at every age and in every discipline.
Integrate science and mathematics learning with technology and the engineering design process to investigate solutions to real-world problems with our STEM courses.