Preparing This Generation to be the Next Generation: Educator Climate Literacy Practices and Needs, Desirable Attainments, and Exemplar Resources

Susan M Sullivan, Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, Boulder, CO, United States, Anne U Gold, University of Colorado Boulder, Center for Education, Engagement and Evaluation; Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, Boulder, United States, Susan E Lynds, CIRES University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, United States and Tamara S Ledley, Bentley University, Natural and Applied Sciences, Waltham, United States
Abstract:
Today’s students are increasingly aware of climate change and the relationship between climate change, energy use, society and sustainability. Scientific knowledge about these topics is advancing at a rapid pace, and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) include performance expectations about energy, sustainability and climate. If we intend to prepare this generation of students for their roles as the next generation of citizens, scientists, and professionals of all sorts, what knowledge, skills and habits of mind will be important, and how do these occur in the NGSS? This presentation will outline these teaching targets, and will describe educator teaching practices and needs around climate and energy literacy dimensions, as derived from surveys and interviews of a group of educators grades 6-16. This presentation will also present examples of resources, including peer-reviewed resources from the Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network collection which can contribute to achieving these newly emphasized learning desirata.
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