Climate Change as a STEM Discipline

This article, by Doug Haller (a STEM education consultant) argues why climate change is an important component of STEM education, how to prepare and support teachers to teach climate change in grades K-16, and what educators should anticipate with respect to student understanding of climate change prior to introducing the topic.


One piece of advice comes from Karen Kirk, of the Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College. Kirk recommends that teachers introduce climate change only after students have demonstrated understanding and value of the nature and process of science. Based upon experience, Kirk knows that one cannot casually introduce a complex and challenging topic such as climate change and expect students to readily except the data and conclusions.


Compiled by Erin E. Anderson