Dive Brief:
- The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy unveiled a new climate education and literacy initiative Wednesday, with the aim of teaching the next generation about global warming.
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With news of the program, President Barack Obama hosted a roundtable discussion where teachers, government officials, philanthropic leaders, and individuals from the private sector discussed strategies for getting scientifically-backed climate change info to more classrooms, as well as public spaces like parks and museums.
- Global warming has becoming an increasingly terse topic in the education arena, specifically as more states transition to the Next Generation Science Standards, which highlight issues such as man-made global warming.
Dive Insight:
Thus far, the Next Generation Science Standards have been adopted by at least 12 states and the District of Columbia, but it is expected that all 26 states that helped write the standards will eventually sign on. Those that have not, such as Wyoming, are typically states with ties to energy-related industries.
Currently, Wyoming students are using standards from 2008, since the NGSS was rejected in a last minute vote during a budget meeting. While the standards have been recommended by 30 scientists, some Wyoming legislators found fault with the teaching of man-made climate change because of the perceived harm it could do to the state's economy, given its status as the nation's largest energy exporter. For many, the idea of commerce coming before a solid education is a frightening one, so while the Obama administration's strides to get scientifically-backed information to students may ruffle feathers in some circles, it's likely equally welcomed — especially by STEM proponents.
