July 17, 2010 - 9:09pm
Vancouver Island University students and graduates will step up their efforts this fall to educate others about the science of climate change.
That’s because the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada has awarded the Awareness of Climate Change through Education and Research (ACER) group a $50,000 PromoScience grant over three years to help promote scientific literacy, and encourage high school students to pursue post-secondary education and careers in science and engineering.
“We’ll use the funding to expand our educational programming and take our message to a wider audience,” said Carol Bob, one of the founding members. “We’re developing educational materials to leave with teachers, and hands-on activities and demonstrations for students.”
ACER was formed two years ago by students and faculty working in the Applied Environmental Research Lab at the Nanaimo campus (AERL). Under the guidance of Dr. Erik Krogh, co-director of the lab, the group developed a 60-minute presentation explaining the science of climate change for Grade 10 students and began delivering it in high schools. ACER has since delivered its presentation to over 4,000 people of all ages.
“Climate change is one of the biggest challenges of our times,” said Krogh. “It is impossible to overstate the consequences of this issue. Our first task is to help people understand what it is and why they should care. People tend not to care about issues they don’t understand.”
The presentation includes up-to-date information on greenhouse gases and global average temperatures, live demonstrations and discussions on technical, sociological and political solutions including an introduction to evidence based decision making.
“This program is successful because we’ve got university students and graduates willing to volunteer their time to give presentations,” said Krogh. “We’re fortunate to have such high caliber volunteers who feel so passionately about this issue.”
Bob says high school students identify well with the ACER presenters because they are close in age. “It shows them that other young people are taking an interest in these serious issues. We’re role models for these students.”
ACER, including VIU students and graduates, hosted a successful one-day symposium on climate change for students and teachers in May. Future events are in the planning stages. “We want to give students and teachers a chance to hear a variety of speakers from different disciplines talk about climate change,” said Bob. “We’d also like to give ACER members feedback on their presentation skills and activities. It’s a learning situation for everyone.”
If you would like the ACER group to present to your class or community group, please contact Carol Bob at ACER@viu.ca.
Tags: In the Community
