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.

Full Webinar is available: https://umconnect.umn.edu/p85269124/

Educators participate in a hands-on activity.

For the presentations below, we recommend you download the presentations and video files and watch them simultaneously. Many of the speakers refer directly to their powerpoint presentations. You will need to advance the PDF presentations on your own.

Stay tuned for the presentations, webinar sessions, and images and videos - everything will be available on this page.

Full Agenda

Watch Opening

Introduction: Kristen Iverson Poppleton, Education Program Manager, Will Steger Foundation

Overview of Will Steger Foundation: Nicole Rom: Executive Director, Will Steger Foundation

Presentation: A History of Online Adventure Education, Will Steger: Polar Explorer and Founder, Will Steger Foundation

The incredible spread of organic and local food thanks to our food sponsors!

Presentation: Weather vs. Climate, Dr. Mark Seeley: University of Minnesota climatologist
Watch Movie

Keynote Presentation, Dr. Naomi Oreskes: Climate historian, author: Merchants of Doubt

Presentation: Bringing Climate Change to the Classroom, Nalani McCutcheon: Director, Cannon River STEM School

Will Steger Foundation Website and Education Resources, Kristen Poppleton: Education Program Manager, Will Steger Foundation

Presentation: Youth Engagement, Abby Fenton: Director of Youth Programs, Will Steger Foundation; RE-AMP Youth Climate Coordinator

Closing Presentation, Dr. Carolyn Breedlove: Project Manager for Green Initiatives, National Education Association