Climate Partners

The National Science Foundation recently funded TERC and its partners (University of Texas, Austin; Mississippi State University) to develop three high school curriculum units or "modules" that will help students understand the natural cycles of the Earth system, cycles that occur from daily, seasonal, and annual frequencies to ones that occur over thousands or tens of thousands of years. A goal of the project is to help students understand the ways in which these cycles influence Earth's climate, and ultimately, life on Earth.

The Climate EarthLabs modules are currently under development. Each module will involve a combination of readings, class discussions, presentations, data analysis, and hands-on lab experiences. The modules are Web-based; ideally students will have access to computers as they participate, but teachers can also find alternative approaches--for example printing materials, using a classroom computer and projector, use of a computer lab for key sessions, and giving assignments that can be completed on a home or library computer. You can download a brief outline of the content of each module here: EarthLabs Climate module outlines (Acrobat (PDF) 81kB Apr29 11)

The Climate EarthLabs project is now accepting applications from Texas and Mississippi high school science teachers who are interested in partnering with TERC. Each Partner Teacher will participate in the project in three ways:

1. Summer, 2011: Review a draft version of one Climate EarthLabs curriculum module and provide feedback to the curriculum development team at TERC. Each module is designed for approximately 10-12 class hours.

2. School year 2011 – 2012: Pilot-teach the one curriculum module that you reviewed and provide additional feedback to the curriculum development team. This can occur at any time during the school year that works for you.

3. Summer, 2012: Work with project team members from TERC and other Partner Teachers to prepare for and help lead a summer workshop for high school teachers in your state, presenting the one curriculum module that you reviewed and taught.

Workshop Dates (We anticipate needing just two days of your teaching time during the workshop week, although we welcome you to attend the full workshop.)

Texas Partner Teachers: June 11 – June 15, 2012

Mississippi Partner Teachers: June 18 – June 22, 2012

Partners who successfully participate in all three elements of the partnership will receive a stipend of $750.

To learn more about the project, send questions to project director Nick Haddad (nick_haddad@terc.edu)

To complete an application to participate as a Climate EarthLabs Partner Teacher, click the link below.

Priority will be given to groups of teachers from a single school or district.