Climate and Global Change Geoscience Education Workshop

Climate and Global Change
Geoscience Education Workshop

July 21 – August 1, 2003

National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado

Earth’s climate has evolved in remarkable ways since our planet’s origin. It also changes over shorter time periods in response to natural processes and human actions. These changes can impact our lives on a daily basis, now and in the future. Scientists draw upon many different, yet interrelated, fields of the geosciences as they strive to understand climate and global change. The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) is offering middle and high school teachers an opportunity to learn about state-of-the-art research in these important collaborative research efforts that are of interest to governments and citizens around the world.

In the summer of 2003, NCAR will sponsor the second annual Climate and Global Change Geoscience Education Workshop. The goal of the workshop is to provide standards-relevant science content, training on easy to implement inquiry-based classroom activities, and a broad overview of the geosciences to educator-leaders who are teaching sciences at the middle and high school levels.

Workshop Topics

Atmospheric structure and chemistry
Plate tectonics
Ocean currents
The cryosphere
Ecology
Biogeochemical cycles
The water cycle
The role of the biosphere
Ocean-atmosphere interactions
Solar cycles
Climate cycles
Volcanic effects
Global warming
Greenhouse effect
Climate scenarios on other planets
Anthropogenic and natural contributions to global change
Societal impacts, mitigation opportunities, and public policy

Workshop Focus: This 12-day workshop (including one day off) will explore all aspects of the geosciences related to climate and global change. Participants will experience presentations by leaders in scientific research, training in hands-on and computer-based activities, field trips, project work, and discussions about pedagogy, educational standards, dissemination, and follow-up.

Participant Support: NCAR will provide support for participants’ travel to and from Boulder, as well as a $700 honorarium, lodging, and meals while at the workshop. Participants will also receive an extensive set of educational resources. A non-refundable registration fee of $150 will be required upon acceptance to the workshop.

Credit: Approval for 4 graduate-level relicensure credits will be offered through the Colorado School of Mines at an anticipated cost of $130 to be paid by the participant.

Selection Criteria: Our goal is to select a diverse group of participants, balanced between middle and high school educators, with a commitment to sharing the information and resources that they receive through this workshop with colleagues in their home school districts. Participants will be selected based on the content and grade levels taught; geographic, gender, and ethnic diversity; professional experience; and demonstrated leadership in training other teachers. The signature of a supervising school administrator is required on the application form acknowledging that the participant’s experience will be shared with teachers within and/or outside the school district in the ensuing year.

Application process: The deadline for receipt of applications is April 4, 2003. Up to 20 participants will be notified of acceptance by April 15. Cancellations will be filled from a list of alternates on a first-come, first-served basis. The application form can be downloaded here. Inquiries and completed registration materials should be directed to: