News

Earth to Sky Alumnus Named as a White House Champion of Change for Climate Education and Literacy

COC-John-smallWe are extremely excited that Earth to Sky alumnus John Morris (National Park Service, retired) has been honored as one of eight people selected as White House Champions of Change for Climate Education and Literacy. On February 9, 2015, a ceremony was held at the White House offices, to honor these leaders in climate communication/education.

 

NEW Online Graduate Courses in Interpretation THIS FALL at SFA

Tuition Assistance Available

This Fall, Stephen F. Austin University (SFA) is piloting a year-long series of online courses, Science and the Public Interface, centered on the topic of effective communication of controversial science (such as evolution, climate change, nanotechnology, stem cell therapy, etc).  The courses are developed by state, federal, museum, non-profit and university partners.

The 5-course sequence is designed to help you facilitate audience connections to science, place, each other and community, and provide opportunity to master 21st century science communication/interpretation skills including citizen science, framing, crucial conversations, facilitated dialogue, and community engagement.

SFA states that the courses will

  • strengthen your ability to engage audiences about the process of science and what makes science controversial
  • explore emerging techniques that lead to such outcomes as self-discovery, mutual understanding, respect, care, community capacity building, and stewardship
  • outline a framework within which collaboration can emerge, helping audiences move from awareness to action.

 Courses can be taken online through Stephen F. Austin State University at the 1-credit workshop or 3-credit graduate course level. Tuition assistance is available.

Apply/Register Now to join in the first semester of courses, beginning August 26, 2014 (Tuesday) and ending on or before December 12, 2014 (Friday)

pdfAdditional course information, registration procedures, timelines, tuition and contact information.

 

$2500 Minigrants Offered to the ETS Community by the NASA Global Precipitation Mission (GPM)

This archived Blackboard Collaborate session provides information about this great funding opportunity and excellent examples of how last year's recipients used the funding to create Climate Change Interp/Education products and programs.

Mini-grant proposals are due COB June 13, 2014!

DorianThis session features NASA Global Precipitation Mission Education and Outreach lead, Dorian Janney, who describes this great opportunity for you to propose for funding your climate change project. Dorian outlines the requirements for the short proposal, including deadlines and funding levels. 

ETS Alumni Leah Eskelin (Kenai NWR) , Susan Sachs (Great Smoky Mountains NP) and Tim Taglauer (Shenandoah NP), who received grants last year  describe the projects they have been working on or completed. These projects are wonderful examples of work within our community that any of us can draw from for ideas, best practices and lessons learned, even if you are not seeking funding.

View the Webinar Here

docETS-GPM Mini-grant Application Form pdfETS-GPM Mini-grant Application Form (pdf)

pptxSession Powerpoint

pdfSession Powerpoint (PDF version)

 

On May 15th 2014 Emily Cloyd shared the 2014 U.S. National Climate Assessment key findings, useful features, and associated education and outreach products and activities for us to use in climate communication. Below is a collection of links to resources, and the powerpoint.

Here's the link to the Google+ Hangout - you can watch it there and still make comments or ask questions and we'll try to answer for you.  http://bit.ly/GPlusEarthtoSky

Or you can watch it here on our site (see below).

The Third National Climate Assessment (NCA) Released

The NCA is the official US Federal Government report on climate for our nation, mandated by the Global Change Research Act of 1990, and vetted by 13 Federal Departments and Agencies and the Executive Office of the President. The assessment is an ongoing compilation of the state of knowledge about climate change for the United States. A written report is produced every four years, and this is the third such report.

Watch the archive of the White House event marking the release of the report, at 2 PM ET.

http://www.c-span.org/video/?319224-2/white-house-unveils-climate-assessment-report

What’s the Big Deal about yet another Climate Change report?

It's a treasure trove of information and graphics about Climate Change in the United States!

Climate Change 2014: Mitigation of Climate Change (the IPCC Working Group III contribution to the 5th Assessment Report) was released April 13, 2014.

In a previous post we alerted you to the Working Group Two report on Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability (which very clearly stated the problem we all face).  Now, this latest IPCC report from Working Group Three assesses the options for mitigating climate change and their underlying technological, economic and institutional requirements (helping us to see possible solutions).  It's directed at policymakers, and highlights the need for international agreement on mitigation efforts. It's chock full of info about sources of energy, carbon in our atmosphere, renewable energy, the ethical dilemmas that result from climate change, options for industry, etc. 

IPCC Working Group III Summary for Policy Makers

Some video statements really humanize the report as well. This is a good effort to improve communication of these reports to the public. What can we do to relate this informtion to our sites and our audiences?

Mitigation 2014 video statements

 

 

The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, this one from Working Group II, just hit the streets. You can read about it in many major news outlets. Headlines are emphasizing the sharp tone of this report and the projected and existing impacts on health and food supply.

Earth's Moon Apollo 12 astronaut Alan Bean holds a special environmental sample container which holds soil collected during the second moonwalk EVA. Photo courtesy of NASA

If you include Earth’s Moon in your interpretation and environmental education or have wanted to but aren’t sure where to begin, you may want to watch this webinar. It is sponsored by Earth to Sky in partnership with the Lunar and Planetary Institute and NASA’s Lunar Science Institute.

Our partners  worked with informal educators to develop a set of materials and hands-on activities designed for use with youth ages 8-13, and their families. They use food, art, storytelling, and interactive investigations to celebrate our Moon.

The webinar will be archived on this site soon. Meantime, check out the presentation powerpoint and the many associated resources!

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