Final Project

Final Project

    I am really looking forward to presenting my Final Project. It relates to climate change, which is a real concept that we will likely be discussing as educators. With that being said, my group made it a focus to provide presentable information that is blunt and easy to understand. While we will eventually be presenting to young students, our Final Project requires that we present to a confused Senator. In order to keep groups of all ages interested, it is also important to keep slides relatively simple with a picture and a few talking points... if that.

Below is the project description.

Task:

   "Your team is a member of Citizens Concerned about Climate Change. You have secured an audience with a U.S. senator from your state to share your findings concerning the implications of unchecked growth of heat-trapping emissions in the atmosphere. For example; drought, fires, flooding, severe weather events, increased hurricane activities, polar ice melting, sea-level rise, or other natural disasters. The senator has acknowledged that he or she is not an expert on the science of climate change, and has in fact admitted to being confused by the conflicting information sometimes presented in media reports.

    For example, the senator has heard that long-term climate models shouldn't be taken seriously since short-term weather models sometimes can't even get the forecast right for a few days out. Also, the senator wonders if the high economic price to mitigate alleged human-induced changes to climate is worth the expense.

    You are of the opinion that your senator is one who can make a difference in the legislative agenda on global climate change. As a group of Earth system science experts, your job is to present the senator with the information necessary to make informed policy decisions about how climate change affects all of us. A good strategy is to create a slide presentation or a graphical representation that can illustrate and inform the Senator. HOWEVER, the Senator’s time is limited to 10 minutes. 

    You should include an explanation of the difference between weather and climate, explain how the effects of climate change can influence earth’s systems, A description of the catastrophic impact on Earth in general but society specifically, i.e. how the effects of climate change can influence earth’s systems and a list of the pros and cons of acting to mitigate the impacts of climate change."

    As I mentioned, I really enjoyed working on my Final Project and I am looking forward to presenting it. I really like the idea of doing projects in place of mid-term or final exams. Project-based learning has proven to be very beneficial and is something I will focus on in my future classroom.