Search form

STEM News Roundup: Scientific Community Urges Congress to Tackle Climate Change Denial

STEM News Round-Up: Scientific Community Urges Congress to Tackle Climate Change Denial

As this school year comes to a close, we remember the eye-opening survey released by the National Center for Science Education in February that found three out of five science teachers are “actively misinformed about the scientific consensus on climate change.”

Teachers have spoken out in the months since arguing that aligned resources to teaching the science behind climate change are hard to come by, as well as noted how the political nature of the subject brings its own series of challenges. 

Their argument is validated by that’s happening in Oregon right now; after the Portland school board voted to remove climate change skepticism from its textbooks, the city became embroiled in a national debate on whether removing climate change denial from textbooks is censorship. 

This week, the scientific community banded together to tackle climate change denial in education and beyond. A letter backed by 31 of the largest scientific organizations in the country was sent to Congress to demand that policymakers do more to support the science behind climate change.

"The letter, which was spearheaded by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, warns of the numerous threats posed by climate change—including extreme weather events, regional water scarcity, heat waves and wildfires,” said the Scientific American.

"The letter ends with a promise of collaboration, saying, 'We in the scientific community are prepared to work with you on the scientific issues important to your deliberations as you seek to address the challenges of our changing climate.’”

Read the full story.

 

Hillary Clinton’s Tech Agenda Focuses on STEM, Computer Science Education

Presumable Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton released a technology-focused agenda this week that focuses heavily on promoting STEM and computer science education.

In the agenda, Clinton makes a commitment to training 50,000 computer science teachers within the next decade and detailed a plan to provide all homes with access to affordable, high-speed Internet by 2020.

Read more about the agenda here.

 

How One Museum Is Inspiring Young Girls in STEM

Museums play a critical role in fostering learning in America’s children, and one Connecticut museum has made it its mission to work tirelessly to foster STEM learning in girls.

The Connecticut Science Center’s Women in Science Initiative has been using various methods to inspire the state’s women in STEM for the past several years, including a lecture series featuring powerful women in the industry and annual coding events for young female students in the state. 

Check out more about the initiative here.

 

Teaching Channel Shares Best Practice for Helping Students Understand Fractions

Three words: real world examples.

Nicole Gorman, Senior Education World Contributor

SaveSave

Latest Education News
Read about the latest news in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
Read about the latest news in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
Read about the latest news in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
Read about the latest news in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
Teachers around the country are weighing the merits and potential fallout of engaging in politically-charged class...