IPY/NSTA Web Seminar: Polar Climates, How Are They Changing? LIVE INTERACTIVE YOUR DESKTOP Tuesday, June 12, :00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time Allan Miller National Science Foundation

Heard a little about climate change lately?

Bob Raynolds, Denver Museum Temp and CO2 Have A Strong Relationship

How well do you think scientists can model climate on a global scale? A – there are too many drivers / variables at this point to create any useable models B – it can be modeled on a limited scale, but not with any accuracy on a global scale C – basic trends can be modeled accurately, but the future is very speculative D – basic trends, including the future, can be modeled accurately E – models are completely accurate in past modeling and can predict specific future occurrences and timelines.

But what about that “complex climate system”?  It is a myth that global climate is too complex to be predictable  Climate inputs: –Incoming solar energy –Aerosols, snow and other reflectors –Greenhouse gases  If these are known, scientists can reproduce temperatures quite well

Time/ABC/Stanford poll (March, 2006):  About 85% of Americans say global warming is happening…right  But 65% think scientists disagree about global warming…wrong  And 81% oppose higher taxes on electricity, 68% oppose higher gasoline taxes  Perception and reality … the first step is admitting you have a problem … living on a fault line …

Open a web tour with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute animations on thermohaline circulation Open a web tour with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute animations on thermohaline circulationhttp:// ?Abrupt Climate Change?

Intergenerational ethics IPCC SPM 2007 Keep in mind that the increase is exponential… …half of all atmospheric CO 2 was put there since about 1975… The baby boom generation will burn nearly all of the oil and natural gas, but pay little of the environmental costs

IPY It’s not just a year (or two), it’s a responsibility…

Blog links to classrooms and the public

Open PolarTREC Website in browser Open PolarTREC Website in browser

Place a stamp in any IPY topic for which there are clear connections in your curriculum / standards EarthLandPeople AtmosphereIce

IPY Topics Cover All Science Content Standards Science as Inquiry- Interpret data from an ice core Science as Inquiry- Interpret data from an ice core Physical Science- Analyze changes in surface temperatures over time Physical Science- Analyze changes in surface temperatures over time Life Science- Examine interdependence of polar organisms Life Science- Examine interdependence of polar organisms Earth and Space- Measure and graph ice sheet dynamics using satellite images Earth and Space- Measure and graph ice sheet dynamics using satellite images Science and Technology- Explain how advances in technology have aided study of polar regions Science and Technology- Explain how advances in technology have aided study of polar regions Science in Personal and Social Perspectives- Compare the risks and benefits of polar exploration Science in Personal and Social Perspectives- Compare the risks and benefits of polar exploration History and Nature of Science- Examine the changes in polar regions since the first IPY History and Nature of Science- Examine the changes in polar regions since the first IPY

What is the ratio of an igloo’s circumference to its diameter?

International IPY website

U.S. and NSF IPY website

Contact your own researcher Browse the NSF website awards database to find a researcher whose interests match a particular curriculum you would like to enhance Browse the NSF website awards database to find a researcher whose interests match a particular curriculum you would like to enhance

Last option: come to DC and immerse yourself in science and public policy 1 full year in DC working with NSF, NASA, NOAA, DOE or on Capitol Hill

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National Science Teachers Association Gerry Wheeler, Executive Director Frank Owens, Associate Executive Director Conferences and Programs Al Byers, Assistant Executive Director e-Learning LIVE INTERACTIVE YOUR DESKTOP NSTA Web Seminars Flavio Mendez, Program Manager Jeff Layman, Technical Coordinator Susan Hurstcalderone, Volunteer Chat Moderator