Home > “Climate Change and the Long Island Sound Estuary” Teacher Workshop

“Climate Change and the Long Island Sound Estuary” Teacher Workshop

Teachers learn about the salt marsh at Alley Pond Park and how it plays an important role in reducing climate change, by sequestering and storing carbon. Credit: Amy Mandelbaum

Background

The “Climate Change and the Long Island Sound Estuary” teacher professional development workshop was held on October 2, 2014 at Alley Pond Environmental Center in Douglaston, Queens, NY, a Long Island Sound Stewardship Area. At this workshop, conducted in partnership with NY Sea Grant, Long Island Sound Study, and the New York State Marine Education Association, 12 New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) teachers learned about the teaching of climate change and how it can be incorporated into the classroom. They also learned how the salt marsh at Alley Pond Park plays an important role in reducing climate change by sequestering and storing carbon. Speakers included educators at Alley Pond Environmental Center as well as Jason Krumholz, the NOAA Liaison to the Long Island Sound Study. The attendees learned how to incorporate the carbon cycle and other climate science concepts into their curricula and were tasked to complete a climate change activity with their students within three months of the workshop.

As a result of attending the teacher workshop, three NYCDOE teachers reported that they incorporated the teaching of climate change into their classrooms. These teachers reached approximately 450 students. According to one of the teachers, “my students really enjoyed learning about climate change and the impact that they have on it. They were engaged in the activity and all put thought and effort into their [carbon footprint reduction] pledges. I plan on re-visiting the pledges in the spring time and evaluating how their commitments are going.”

Materials

Agenda
Teacher Resource Sheet
“The Incredible Carbon Journey” game from NOAA’s Discover Your Changing World with NOAA

Presentations

Photos

: Alley Pond Environmental Center staff teach workshop attendees about the Long Island Sound estuary.

: Alley Pond Environmental Center staff teach workshop attendees about Alley Pond Park’s salt marsh.

: Alley Pond Environmental Center staff provide the workshop attendees with a tour of Alley Pond Park’s salt marsh.

: Alley Pond Environmental Center staff provide the workshop attendees with a tour of Alley Pond Park’s salt marsh.

: Dr. Jason Krumholz provides the workshop attendees with an overview of climate science concepts.

: Workshop attendees participate in a hands-on carbon cycle activity.

Three Months Later: Teachers’ Climate Change Activities

As a result of attending the teacher workshop and following the Climate Change Activity Directions, three NYCDOE teachers reported that they incorporated the teaching of climate change into their classrooms. These teachers reached approximately 450 students. The details of each teacher’s activities are presented below.

Ms. Joanna Koenig, 8th grade Earth Science teacher at George J. Ryan Middle School 216: Ms. Koenig’s climate change activity consisted of her students making carbon footprint pledges. [Details]
Ms. Julia Weisser, 7th grade Science teacher at Marie Curie Middle School 158: Ms. Weisser’s climate change activity consisted of her students conducting a home energy audit. Her students also planted a tree on the school grounds and volunteered at a park in the community. [Details] [Lesson Plan]
Ms. Andrea Feldman, 7th and 8th grade Science/Living Environment teacher at Joseph Pulitzer Intermediate School 145: Ms. Feldman’s students created climate change children’s picture books to share with elementary school students. [Details]