http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/hurricanes08/discuss/overarching_thoughts_recommendations.html#discussion http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/hurricanes08/discuss/overarching_thoughts_recommendations.html#post2949 Cathy Manduca 1224799560 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/hurricanes08/discuss/overarching_thoughts_recommendations.html#post2949 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/hurricanes08/discuss/overarching_thoughts_recommendations.html#post2964
Not only did I come away with a new class activity of my own, but a few others that I hope to adapt to my classes.

To me, an overarching theme was trying to engage students into scientific thinking without intimidating them. So many of us teach non-majors, and it's great to be talking with you about how to get them comfortable with the scientific method without browbeating them. Climate change is a hugely teachable topic, everyone gets interested quickly, and using that to get them involved in doing science is key.]]> Todd Ellis 1224871320 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/hurricanes08/discuss/overarching_thoughts_recommendations.html#post2964 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/hurricanes08/discuss/overarching_thoughts_recommendations.html#post2970 Mel Huff 1224874920 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/hurricanes08/discuss/overarching_thoughts_recommendations.html#post2970 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/hurricanes08/discuss/overarching_thoughts_recommendations.html#post2980 Chad Heinzel 1224878880 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/hurricanes08/discuss/overarching_thoughts_recommendations.html#post2980 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/hurricanes08/discuss/overarching_thoughts_recommendations.html#post2984 Keep in touch, everyone-- ]]> E. Christa Farmer 1224882600 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/hurricanes08/discuss/overarching_thoughts_recommendations.html#post2984 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/hurricanes08/discuss/overarching_thoughts_recommendations.html#post2989
...and speaking of the 'real lives' piece, I'm wondering if maybe it'd be possible to spread this week-long online workshop over two weeks. I know it'd be a bear for Karin and Cathy and Sean to have to attend to our needs for an additional week, but it was something of a grind to get my workshop work accomplished in the midst of my ongoing teaching and committee responsibilities. One thing about attending a 'face-to-face' conference is that you can put these other responsibilities aside and be immersed; with us, the other stuff didn't go away. I still haven't had a chance to see all the presentations, so I hope they stay posted for another week so I can catch up.

Finally -- I feel privileged as a science instructor to be participating in the transition from an era of acute specialization and consequent isolation to an era of multi-discipline integration and utilization. As a 'hard rock' geologist, I've been enriched by the contributions of all you meteorologists, paleoclimatologists, oceanographers, fluid dynamicists -- thanks to you all! Ultimately all of our students stand to gain from our collective efforts toward the integration of our disciplines.

Rob ]]> Robert Kuhlman 1224941100 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/hurricanes08/discuss/overarching_thoughts_recommendations.html#post2989