Summer Institute 2010 Recap

Our 2010 Summer Institute for Climate Change Education marked our fifth year of offering in-person professional development workshops for educators. This year we took time to “Go Back to the Basics.” This year’s Institute featured keynote speakers, Dr. Naomi Oreskes, climate historian and author of Merchants of Doubt; University of Minnesota climatologist, Mark Seeley, and a new presentation by Will Steger on his history of online education. We were able to offer scholarships to educators from out-state Minnesota, reaching 75 educators in person and via webinar. The Institute provided educators with an understanding of why climate misinformation persists and the tools to respond to those in doubt, by getting back to the basics of climate science and climate change education methods. In addition participants received a special sneak preview of the Foundation’s new curriculum, Minnesota’s Changing Climate, using Will’s lifelong archives to highlight Minnesota’s changing climate.

Summer Insitute 2010 Presenter Videos:

Our 2010 Summer Institute for Climate Change Education marked our fifth year of offering in-person professional development workshops for educators. This year we took time to “Go Back to the Basics.” Here, Kristen Poppleton, K12 Education Program Manager and Nicole Rom, Executive Director open the 2010 session.	Dr. Naomi Oreskes, climate historian and author of Merchants of Doubt joined us for a reception and public forum where she spoke to over 250 people about the tactics used by corporations to confuse and misinform the public of the validity of climate science. She also captured the attention of educators at our 5th annual Summer Institute for Climate Change Education, who were most interested in understanding climate change basics and tools to address the topic in the classroom.
Will Steger gives his "Eyewitness" presentation.	"Bringing Climate Change to the Classroom" with Nalani McCutcheon, Cannon River STEM School.

Presentations:

Educators participate in a hands-on activity.

• Presentation: Overview of Will Steger Foundation: Nicole Rom: Executive Director, Will Steger Foundation - PDF (15.72 MB)
• Presentation: A History of Online Adventure Education: Will Steger: Polar Explorer and Founder, Will Steger Foundation - PDF (12.64 MB)
• Presentation: An Introduction to "Minnesota's Changing Climate" Curriculum: Kristen Poppleton: Education Program Manager, Will Steger Foundation - PDF (1.42 MB) Accompanying Video (79.76 MB)
• Presentation: Weather vs. Climate: Dr. Mark Seeley: University of Minnesota climatologist - PDF (33.95 MB) Accompanying Video (173.18 MB)
• Keynote Presentation: Dr. Naomi Oreskes: Climate historian, author: Merchants of Doubt - PDF (20.36 MB)

The incredible spread of organic and local food thanks to our food sponsors!
• Presentation: Bringing Climate Change to the Classroom: Nalani McCutcheon: Director, Cannon River STEM School (Available Soon)
• Presentation: Will Steger Foundation Website and Education Resources, Kristen Poppleton: Education Program Manager, Will Steger Foundation - PDF (3.38 MB)
• Presentation: Youth Engagement, Abby Fenton: Director of Youth Programs, Will Steger Foundation; RE-AMP Youth Climate Coordinator (Available Soon)
• Closing Presentation: Dr. Carolyn Breedlove: Project Manager for Green Initiatives, National Education Association - PDF (883 KB)