Preserving the Planet
An edWebinar Series
How does one preserve the planet? A basic question with no well-defined answer. The planet has been affected by many changes, whether they were generated by humans or not. Pollution, natural disasters, deforestation, climate change, generated waste and overpopulation are just a few examples of issues that affect the planet. Preserving the planet is not a one solution fix unless we are willing to eliminate humanity, but rather there will have to be multiple small solutions to solve the issues, so our planet can be preserved. Doing one thing everyday like recycling, taking the train, replacing plastic with reusable materials, etc. could add up to a much greater potential. Scientist, activist, politicians, and everyday people look to preserve the planet in small ways, that could create big changes. What do you do to preserve our planet?
JASON Learning has partnered with edWeb.net in a edWebinar series and online community called Preserving the Planet, in which role models discuss and answer questions about their career paths and the efforts they are making to preserve the planet. edWeb.net is a free professional learning community that connects scientists with educators and students to help them learn about changes in the global environment and natural world, and what we can do to create a more sustainable future. Many of the presenters for this live event web series come from JASON Learning curricula and Argonaut Expeditions.
Thus Far in the Series
Teaching Climate Change: An Integrative Approach
Originally aired: September 24, 2019
Presenter Robin Leichenko, Professor of Geography and Karen O’Brien, Professor of Geography discussed an integrative approach to teaching about climate change, while drawing on their new textbook, Climate and Society: Transforming the Future. Robin Leichenko is Professor and Chair in the Department Geography at Rutgers University in New Jersey. Robin’s research explores economic vulnerability to climate change, the equity implications of climate change adaptation, and the interplay between climate change responses and community sustainability. She is the co-founder and co-director of the Rutgers Climate Institute, an interdisciplinary center for climate change research, education, and outreach. Karen O’Brien is Professor in the Department of Sociology and Human Geography at the University of Oslo, Norway. Karen’s work focuses on human responses to environmental change, with an emphasis on the relationships between personal, cultural, and systems transformations. She is the co-founder of cChange, an organization that fosters new perspectives, knowledge, and tools for promoting equitable and sustainable transformations.
Shifting Landscapes: Studying the Impacts of Climate Change in Joshua Tree National Park
Originally aired: October 23, 2019
During this presentation Lynn Sweet and Rhonda Burrough discussed there work at Joshua Tree National Park. Dr. Sweet has been apart of JASON Live Events before, both have been on a JASON Argonaut Expedition. Dr. Sweet discussed her path into a science career as well as her research in plant ecology and conservation biology studying shifts in vegetation due to climate change in Joshua Tree National Park. Her research is regularly supported by the efforts of citizen scientists, including volunteers from the local area and international programs such as Earthwatch, as well as Student & Teacher “Argonauts” from JASON Learning, a K-12 STEM program. Dr. Sweet shares her thoughts on how teachers can translate scientific research on the impacts of climate change into classroom-accessible language that students can digest and act upon. She was joined by panelists including JASON Argonauts that have assisted with her field research in Joshua Tree.
There are more Live Events to come
Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at 5 p.m. — 6 p.m. EDT
Register: Antarctic Climate Change: A Polar Problem with Global Consequences
Presented by: Dr. Andrew Christ, Gund Postdoctoral Fellow and Lecturer, Department of Geology & Gund Institute for Environment, University of Vermont; and Cindy McGlynn, National Trainer, JASON Learning
Hosted by Haley Nelson, JASON Learning Live Events Host
Antarctic Climate Change: Antarctica was the last continent to be “discovered” by humans. Yet, the state of the Antarctic ice sheets exerts strong controls on global climate and sea level. During this edWebinar, Dr. Christ will give an overview of the history of Antarctic science, explain the fundamental concepts of the Antarctic ice sheets, and describe his research to understand past climate change as a guide for the future. He has embarked on and led several expeditions in remote field camps in the Transantarctic Mountains, living in a small tent for months at a time to collect field data. He has seen the consequences of rapid, anthropogenic climate change in Antarctica. The goal of the course is to give a primer on why Antarctic geoscience is critical to understanding the present and future consequences of climate change. Dr. Christ has taught at nearly every level from being the “Resident Scientist” at a middle school, a field-based science camp for high schoolers, mentoring undergraduates on independent research, and currently teaches at the University of Vermont. He is dedicated to presenting complex information with clarity for any audience. This edWebinar will be of interest to grades K-12, teachers, and school leaders. There will be time to have your questions answered at the end of the presentation.
Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at 4 p.m. — 3 p.m. EDT
Climate Change and Its Impact on Ocean Ecosystems
Presented by: Dr. Diane Stanitski, Deputy Director of Planning and Administration; Hosted by Haley Nelson, JASON Learning Live Events Host
Details to be released on edWeb.net
Wednesday, February 26, 2020 at 1 p.m. — 2 p.m. EDT
Climate Change and Its Impact on Mountain Ecosystems
Presented by: Dr. Bernat Claramunt López, Professor of Ecology; Hosted by Haley Nelson, JASON Learning Live Events Host
Details to be released on edWeb.net
The next Live Event is November 19th at 5 pm EDT, grades K-12 are welcomed to join the events and have their questions answered by STEM Role Models.
edWeb.net Information:
Preserving the Planet Community: edweb.net/planet
Website: edweb.net
Twitter: @edwebnet
JASON Learning Information:
Website: jason.org
Twitter: @jasonlearning
Facebook: JASON Learning
