Climate Science Series: Clean Energy from Greener Crops

Michigan State University’s Kellogg Biological Station’s K-12 Partnership is proud to present a 4-part series of online workshops on Climate Science, designed to support middle and high school teachers in increasing climate science knowledge and build confidence in teaching climate science and climate change. 

For: Middle and High School teachers

What: 4 online workshops on Climate Science to build knowledge and teaching methods 

Where: online via zoom

When: 4-5pm EST, Thursday, Jan. 28, Tuesdays, Feb. 9, 23 and March 9 

Registration required: (choose to participate in 1, 2, 3 or all 4)

1. Climate Science Basics, Thursday, Jan. 28: Recording and Resources
2. Carbon Sequestration in Agricultural Systems, Tuesday, Feb. 9: Recording and Resources
3. Climate Change Impacts on Agriculture and Natural Resources, Tuesday, Feb. 23: Recording and Resources
4. Clean Energy from Greener Crops, Tuesday, March 9: Recording and Resources

Compensation: Michigan State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs) and hourly stipend available for Michigan in-service K-12 teachers

Hosts: Kellogg Biological Station K-12 Partnership educators, Joelyn de Lima and Kara Haas

Funded by: KBS Long-term Ecological Research Program, supported by the National Science Foundation 

Questions? Email Kara and Joelyn at k12partnership@kbs.msu.edu

Overview:

This is a series of 4 online workshops on Climate Science designed to build confidence in teaching climate change. Using the enRoads Climate Interactive’s focus areas as inspiration, we have invited MSU scientists to share about current research in the areas of climate science, carbon sequestration in agricultural systems, land use patterns, and biofuels. These workshops will introduce the teachers to climate science, and discuss the relevance of topics like agriculture, land use, and biofuels in climate science research. Each hour-long workshop will include interactive activities and a presentation by an expert. See details about each of the workshops below. Additionally, these workshops are designed to help teachers learn to leverage the enRoads Climate Interactive in their classrooms. Participants will also get access to a curated set of resources, including lesson plans, that they can then use in their classrooms. 

SCECHs and Stipend:

Teachers can also earn State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs) by attending these workshops – 1 SCECH per workshop attended. 

Additionally, Michigan’s in-service K-12 teachers will also be eligible to claim a stipend of $10 per workshop attended. 

Details:

Kemmerling

Workshop 1: Climate Science Basics

Thursday, January 28, 2021 from 4 – 5 pm Eastern

Lindsey Kemmerling, Ecologist, PhD student studying biodiversity in agricultural systems will give an overview of climate science basics and will discuss ‘what is climate science’, ‘how do we study climate science’ and ‘why do we study climate science?

Robertson

Workshop 2: Carbon Sequestration in Agricultural Systems

Tuesday, February 9, 2021 from 4 – 5 pm Eastern

Dr. Phil Robertson, University Distinguished Professor of Ecosystem Science, Michigan State University will give an overview of gas cycling/outputs in agricultural systems with a focus on carbon sequestration.  

Basso

Workshop 3: Climate Change Impacts on Agriculture and Natural Resources

Tuesday, February 23, 2021 from 4 – 5 pm Eastern

Dr. Bruno Basso, MSU Foundation Professor, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Michigan State University will share the importance of land use patterns and the impacts of deforestation on the carbon cycle. We will discuss the impact of change in landscapes over time to the carbon cycle and climate change.

Cordova

Workshop 4: Clean Energy from Greener Crops

Tuesday, March 9, 2021 from 4 – 5 pm Eastern

Dr. Carolina Cordova, Agronomist, postdoctoral researcher, Great Lakes Bioenergy Research, Michigan State University, will present Clean Energy from Greener Crops and introduce us to current biofuel possibilities and research.

KBS K-12 Partnership: professional development for All Science Teachers

The KBS K-12 Partnership provides teachers in-depth exposure to research topics in environmental science and training to teach inquiry-based science at the elementary and secondary levels.  The Partnership is a joint effort among KBS scientists, MSU College of Education faculty, science teachers and administrators in southwest Michigan school districts. Since 1999 the Partnership has been supported by multiple grants and is sustained by the KBS Long-term Ecological Research Program (the National Science Foundation’s Long-term Ecological Research Program).