Focus the Nation Teach-In
January 30 & 31, 2008
View Participating Classes
Whether debating the science of global warming, examining its effects on displaced populations, or creating art inspired by our natural surroundings, global climate change is an issue that affects us all. Studying potential impacts and working towards solutions requires input from all disciplines. One way to do this is to engage our students in discussion and debate about the challenges of climate change.
The KU Center for Sustainability and KU Hillel encourage faculty and their classes to participate in a campus “teach-in” addressing global climate change. Although January 31 is the official day for Focus the Nation, we want to include as many students in this effort as possible. So for two days - January 30 and 31 - we are asking faculty to incorporate issues of global climate change into their regularly scheduled lectures or participate in a brief activity related to this issue.
Realizing that class time is extremely valuable, we do not want to disrupt your schedule to participate in this national teach-in. However, we have found some creative ways to take just a few minutes to address global climate change in your regular course pattern. Some possible techniques you can use are:
- Spend 5-10 minutes discussing global climate change as it relates to your course subject: Focus the Nation is encouraging large scale teach-ins with 10 minute presentations taking place throughout the day. We've simplified their model by suggesting you spend this 10 minutes in your classroom discussing how global climate change relates to your course subject. Take a look at Focus the Nation's model teach-in and other resources for ideas on how to incorporate this topic into your class.
- Ask students to bring an article about global climate change to discuss: Let your students do the work and ask them to research global climate change as an assignment. Then spend a few minutes at the beginning or end of class discussing what they learned.
- Request a brief presentation: CFS is working with CReSIS, Chevron Energy Solutions, and the KU Environmental Stewardship Program to provide presentations for your class. Please contact us at sustainability@ku.edu for details. If you would like to have a guest presenter, please make your request by January 24.
- Complete a short activity related to global climate change: Click here for a list of ideas.
Not sure where to start? Here is a good
basic resource. Click on "Start Here" to find information for everyone from the beginner to the well-informed. You can find more helpfu links at
Focus the Nation under "Science Resources".
CFS is happy to help you with your efforts to address climate change in the classroom. Please contact Jeff Severin at
sustainability@ku.edu or 864-5804 if you have any questions or would like assistance integrating Focus the Nation into your classes.
Let us know if you plan to participate in Focus the Nation! While registration is not required, we would like to get a sense of how many students will be reached through this teach-in.
Click here to submit your information.
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