CLEAN Teleconference Call April 22, 2014
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Ocean Sciences Curriculum Sequence for Grades 6–8: The Ocean–Atmosphere Connection and Climate Change
Abstract: Climate change is arguably the defining environmental issue of our generation. It is thus increasingly necessary for every member of the global community to understand the basic underlying science of Earth's climate system and how it is changing in order to make informed, evidence-based decisions about how we will respond individually and as a society. Funded by NOAA, the Ocean Sciences Curriculum Sequences are in-depth, kit-based curriculum units that deliver rich science content correlated to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), with an emphasis on the Practices of Science, and significant overlap with the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts. The curriculum provides numerous opportunities for students to engage in investigations, construct explanations and argue from evidence. They are designed in accordance with the latest research on learning and were classroom-tested by teachers across the US in a wide variety of settings. The curriculum provides opportunities for students to explore the inextricable interconnection between Earth's ocean, atmosphere and climate, helping them to be better prepared to tackle the complex issues surrounding the causes and effects of climate change and evaluate some possible solutions.
Bios:
Catherine Halversen is Co-Director of MARE and PI of several NSF-funded projects at the University of California Berkeley's Lawrence Hall of Science, including Communicating Ocean Sciences Informal Education Network. This national network of museums and aquariums partnered with universities offer regional professional learning for informal educators through the Reflecting on Practice program, and for science faculty to teach the Communicating Ocean Sciences college courses at their universities. She also serves as PI for Promoting Climate Literacy, an NSF project to develop a new Communicating Climate Science college course. Catherine led the development team that wrote the NOAA-funded Ocean Sciences Sequence for Grades 3–5, and for Grades 6–8: The Ocean–Atmosphere Connection and Climate Change.
Emily Weiss is one of the primary authors of the Ocean Sciences Sequence for Grades 6-8. She works in the Center for Leadership in Science Teaching at the Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California, Berkeley. She is the Co-PI of an NSF-funded project (PRACTISE) focused on professional development to support scientific argumentation skills and is the current President of the Southwest Marine/Aquatic Educators' Association. She has taught elementary and middle school and has run informal ocean sciences education programs for middle and high school students.
Traci Wierman is a member of the Learning Design Group at the Lawrence Hall of Science. The Learning Design Group, working with the MARE team, developed the Ocean Sciences Sequence (OSS). Ms. Wierman's role is to lead the Curriculum Implementation Network supporting dissemination and implementation of various science curriculum programs, including the OSS. She spent 17 years as a K -8 public school teacher and 10 years as an informal educator.
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