Teaching climate change in K-12: The braiding of science, social justice, and regeneration

Course Details

  • Acronym EDC&I 505 B
  • Instructor(s) Mark Windschitl
  • Quarter Autumn 2023
  • Credits 4
  • Meeting Times Thursdays, 4:30pm-6:50pm
  • Location MLR 212
  • Fullfills GCeCS Applications Course, GCeCS communication seminar

Course Description

This course will benefit anyone who anticipates teaching or providing professional development about climate change. Although it emphasizes K-12 and community education settings, the course will provide tools and frameworks appropriate for higher education as well. We will explore: how learners of all ages can make deep sense of the accelerating changes in Earth’s geophysical and biological systems; frameworks for effective teaching; the elevation of climate mitigation and adaptation strategies in curricula; dealing with disinformation and skepticism; issues of social justice linked to colonialism and to current environmental risks; the incorporation of Indigenous worldviews in teaching; the use of data from the past and present to model the future; how students construct models and explanations; building emotional resilience in young learners; and activism and self-care for the long haul.