NCGP, CHS students promote need for climate education
By GuestDear Editor:
Members of No Canton Gas Pipeline: toward an equitable, sustainable future, Tammy Rose, Liza Colburn, Christine Smith and Jennifer Wexler and Canton High School seniors Kate Devine, Matt Floyd, and Julia Quinn met with Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Jennifer Henderson on Tuesday, January 30, to discuss the current status, needs, barriers to, and future of climate education in the Canton Public Schools. NCGP also invited Barney Brawer of www.thenationalclassroom.com to the conversation.
The CHS students communicated their understanding that they are the future stewards of the planet and that climate education needs to be woven into the curriculum across schools and disciplines. The students noted that although elementary school climate education was at the discretion of individual teachers, what they learned had a profound effect on their understanding of the challenges confronting all of us and that they have the power to take steps that make a difference.
The students also raised the concern that climate change-related topics are addressed at the high school level in Canton within two science elective courses — Earth Science and Oceanography — but that there are many opportunities to teach real-world examples that impact their future: in Biology, Chemistry (with such emphasis on carbon), and even History or other core subjects. The students understand that the AP course curriculum is already set nationwide, so hope that College Prep and Honors-level curriculum will be updated to better educate students about the many causes, as well as ways to address, rising CO2 levels and climate change issues that impact their future.
Brawer gave several concrete examples of how Massachusetts school systems have achieved greater emphasis from the elementary level forward. He described how the next-generation science curriculum will include climate education and outlined the importance of ensuring a cross-disciplinary approach. Danette McGovern, head of the Science Department at the Galvin Middle School, explained in an email, “Our new curriculum has a much greater emphasis on climate change, especially in the seventh grade,” indicating that students in grades 6-8 will soon benefit from updated instruction.
Henderson identified next steps she would take to help ensure a more systematic approach to climate education, including meeting with department chairs and student group representatives.
No Canton Gas Pipeline assists in collaboration between the new Sustainability Committee, Board of Selectmen, Board of Health, Conservation Commission, Canton Public Schools, and all interested residents to ensure renewable energy progress and a better future.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Wexler, No Canton Gas Pipeline
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=38264
Posted by Guest
on Feb 23 2018. Filed under From One Citizen to Another, Opinion.
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