The Biology of Climate Change: Impacts on Human Health and the Science of Solutions
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Project Description
The Biology of Climate Change: Impacts on Human Health and the Science of Solutions project will educate secondary students and teachers about the ways in which climate change is affecting health. The overarching goal is to build students’ knowledge of in-progress solutions and introduce them to related biomedical careers.
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Abstract
K-12 students are a critical demographic that need skills to make educated decisions on complex issues related to climate and health, yet few curricula exist that address the topics at this level. Most current climate and health curricula were developed for medical training programs in response to a call from trainees. Introducing climate change and health earlier may prepare students more thoroughly for a range of biomedical careers. Covering the topic in middle and high school also makes education on this important topic accessible to the broader population. Science classrooms present the opportunity for students to build climate literacy through the lens of hope and in-progress solutions, an approach shown to be a motivator in solving problems. To address the need for materials, the Genetic Science Learning Center (GSLC) at the University of Utah will use its award-winning expertise to develop four innovative curriculum mini-modules. The modules will address topics not yet included in textbooks, and emphasize how science is driving real solutions to the challenges surrounding climate and health. The modules will flexibly integrate with topics teachers already cover, and support student achievement of standards described in A Framework for K-12 Science Education. The goals for The Biology of Climate Change: Impacts on Human Health and the Science of Solutions project are: GOAL 1: Engage secondary-level students with climate and health literacy via new curricula so they can make educated decisions on the many complex issues surrounding climate change and the risks it presents to human health. Approach: Involve teachers at schools with a majority of students from groups underrepresented in biomedical research (UBR) in drafting each module, testing lessons with their students, and refining the materials. Conduct 2 research studies for each mini-module: an RCT comparison with standard climate change curricula of impacts on students’ beliefs and intentions, and an efficacy study of the modules’ impact on NGSS-aligned student learning. GOAL 2: Educate teachers about the impacts of climate change on health and prepare them to implement the four new mini-modules via online professional development courses and conference workshops. Approach: Offer 2 online courses for teachers to prepare them to use the mini-modules, and present workshops at science teacher conferences, reaching at least 300 teachers across the US. The project will take advantage of the GSLC’s award-winning expertise in developing effective interactive multimedia learning experiences; its published methods for involving teachers in curriculum development; and its extensive experience in teacher professional development. The modules will be broadly disseminated via our Learn.Genetics and Teach.Genetics websites, which are used annually by >16 million visitors worldwide.
