PI-CASC launches climate science educational resources for students, educators
The Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center (PI-CASC) and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recently launched the K-12 Education Hub website, which provides lesson plans, tools, and other online resources to aid students, teachers, and researchers in communicating science and climate research specific to Hawaiʻi and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI).
The website is part of an ongoing project funded in fiscal 2020 to develop PI-CASC’s capacity to bolster place-based STEM curriculum by engaging with local communities and culminating a climate research hub of resources for educators and students. The project was initiated by Dr. Sheree Watson and is currently managed by Emily Sesno and Cherryle Heu.
The resources provided in the website are intended to supplement existing curriculum and are formatted with interactive elements, allowing users to learn from the content at their pace.
“With this evolving climate adaptation education hub, we intend to provide teachers and researchers with engaging tools to inspire our youth to cultivate their connection with the environment and community through the lens of climate change.” — PI-CASC K-12 Education Hub
At this time, users are able to view applied resources, such as the trial lesson plans conducted in marine biology and world geography classes in Guam high schools, as well as story maps to learn about drought across the Hawaiian islands. The website also includes a list of educational programs and opportunities throughout the Pacific for students, teachers, and researchers. The PI-CASC Education Hub will continue to be updated with more resources as they develop.
Products and resources found on the PI-CASC Education Hub are aligned with Next Generation Science Standards, Climate Literacy Principles, and Nā Hopena A‘o.