GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE CD

PI: K. Bertram, Geophysical Institute, UAF
see also: http://www.arcticclimatemodeling.org/dvd.html

This project involves the creation of a Global Climate CDROM that combines graphics and interactive activities to help students visualize difficult scientific concepts. The CDROM contains scientific instruction that builds on student understanding of the physics of Arctic climate and weather. In 2006, the Bering Strait School District (BSSD) received Units 1-7 of the CDROM for field-testing during the 2006-07 school year in all classrooms throughout the district. In preparation for field-testing, the CDROM was updated to align with the district’s state and federal science standard requirements.

The primary objectives are to create (1) hands-on classroom lessons to compliment the CDROM and (2) a teacher-training program through which BSSD teachers are learning to use both the CDROM and associated classroom lessons in all 15 villages that compose the BSSD.Together, the multimedia CDROM and the classroom lessons provide levels of geophysical instruction on the phenomena involved in global climate change. The CDROM helps students visualize scientific concepts and uses modern technology to pass on traditional values and historical information. Tactile classroom lessons encourage cooperative learning and community participation, proven to increase learning for Alaska Native students. Both illuminate the variety and breadth of research occurring at IARC.

Currently, the CDROM is being field-tested by more than 1700 Alaska Native students in the BSSD (a 50,000 square mile area--the size of Louisiana--located on the Seward Peninsula in northwestern Alaska with a 98% Alaska Native residency). Teacher training on the use of the CDROM and associated classroom lessons for 165 BSSD K-12 educators occurred in August 28-29 and October 23-27 in Unalakleet, Alaska (BSSD headquarters). Additional training in Fairbanks for 35 BSSD lead teachers occurred in two separate sessions: November 13-14 and November 16-17. Fifteen IARC and GI professors act as scientist mentors to help BSSD teachers put into practice what they learned during training in Unalakleet and to provide BSSD teachers (and students) with continuing assistance in guiding the CDROM and classroom lessons throughout the school year. More than 30 IARC and GI researchers have contributed to information for the CDROM and reviewed it for scientific accuracy. The lead scientist for the GC CDROM is IARC Founding Director Syun Akasofu.

For more information contact:

Kathy Berry-Bertram
Office: WRRB 106D
Phone: 7798
Email: kathy.bertram@gi.alaska.edu