New resource Climate4Classrooms.org launched – Getting the science of climate change into the classroom
18 March 2011
What is climate change? How is it caused? What could our future look like? These questions and more are explored on a new website designed for teachers and students by three leading organisations due to be launched formally on 23 March to coincide with Climate Week.
The Royal Meteorological Society, Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) and British Council have worked in partnership to provide schools, whether in the UK or internationally, with up-to-date scientific data about the world’s climatic system and projections that explore the potential impact of climate change at the national scale.
The free resource, piloted in the UK, China, Mexico and Indonesia, is the first website to use national level climate projections tailored to individual countries. This allows teachers and students to see how their nations and others around the world might be affected by climate change and how they might adapt to and mitigate these changes.
Dr Rita Gardner, Director of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), said the website will help teachers be more confident in teaching the science and geography of climate change and its potential impact. “Many people are uncertain about climate change or see it as controversial, but it is vitally important that young people and their teachers have access to the most up-to-date and reliable climate science available. A generation properly informed is a generation equipped to tackle the challenges of the future,” she said.
In the teaching resources, each module has clear learning outcomes, activity plans and student activity sheets. Meanwhile, a ‘My Climate’ section allows schools to log in and upload their own case studies.
Professor Paul Hardaker, Chief Executive of the Royal Meteorological Society, said Climate4Classrooms was a welcome addition for teaching resources. “I know of nowhere else that brings together for schools the science of climate change, the ability to examine what it might mean for national climates and helps explore the challenges of finding both global and local solutions,” he said. “Not only will it be valuable for any classroom in any country to make use of, but it also offers an exciting opportunity to promote greater exchange and dialogue between students and classrooms across the globe on a topic that is of importance to all of us.”
Schools in more than 50 countries across the world including Hong Kong, Colombia, Russia and Ireland, have already accessed the website and investigated national and global future environmental scenarios as well as possible solutions.
Martin Davidson, CEO of the British Council, said they were proud to be a partner in Climate4Classrooms. “The next generation will face the full effects of climate change. The British Council is delighted to be partnering RGS-IBG and RMS in the development of scientifically-based resources for teachers and students to learn about climate change. As a cultural relations organisation, we are particularly pleased to be able to use our expertise in connecting students and teachers from around the world to build a better shared understanding in this important area,” he said.
Notes to editors:
- Media enquiries contact: Lis Parham, Media and Communications Officer on 020 7591 3019 (press@rgs.org). Out-of-hours mobile 07719 721 978.
- The Royal Geographical Society (with The Institute of British Geographers) is the learned society and professional body for geography. Formed in 1830, our Royal Charter of 1859 is for 'the advancement of geographical science'. Today, we deliver this objective by developing, supporting and promoting geography through research, expeditions and fieldwork, education, and public engagement, while also providing geographical input to policy. We aim to foster an understanding and informed enjoyment of our world. We hold the world's largest private geographical collection and provide public access to it. We have a thriving Fellowship and membership and offer the professional accreditation 'Chartered Geographer' www.rgs.org
- The Royal Meteorological Society is the UK’s Professional and Learned Society for Weather and Climate. The Society is a registered charity, based in Reading, UK, and works to advance the understanding of weather and climate, the science and its applications, for the benefit of all. The Society supports those with an interest in all things to do with weather and climate in the UK and around the world. Society members include scientists, students, practitioners and amateur enthusiasts. The Royal Meteorological Society’s President is Prof Tim Palmer DSc FRS. Tim is a Royal Society Research Professor in the Physics Department at the University of Oxford and a Senior Scientist at the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting, based in Reading. The Chief Executive of the Society is Prof Paul Hardaker FRMetS CMet. The Society is contactable via email at chiefexec@rmets.org or via telephone on 0118 956 8500. More details about the Society can be found on the website at www.rmets.org.
- The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We work in over 100 countries worldwide to build opportunity and trust for the UK through the exchange of knowledge and ideas between people. We work in the Arts, English, Education and Society, including science and sport - and in the process contribute to the security and prosperity of the UK and the countries where we work. Last year we engaged face to face with 18.4 million people and reached 652 million. We are a non-political organisation which operates at arm’s length from government. Our total turnover in 2009/10 was £705 million, of which our grant-in-aid from the British government was £211 million. For every £1 of government grant we receive, we earn £2.50 from other sources. For more information, please visit: www.britishcouncil.org or contact Christopher Palmer 020 7389 4265.
