Engaging students in authentic climate research: Raising the bar for climate science education

Abstract

Workshop to Define Student Collaborative Climate Research;Silver Spring, Maryland, 17–19 November 2010 In November 2010 a workshop organized by the Institute for Earth Science Research and Education (http://www.instesre.org) and cosponsored by the U.S. National Science Foundation and NOAA was held for the purpose of defining what it means for (mostly) secondary school students, teachers, and scientists to collaborate in authentic research related to climate and climate change. The workshop was premised on the understanding that (1) the nation must find new ways to build the scientific and technological expertise needed to understand and respond to climate change and (2) there are many opportunities for students, educators, and scientists to collaborate on scientifically and educationally beneficial climate research projects. Considering the many questions raised about the validity of climate research, including projections of future climate, the workshop participants concluded that engaging students in actual research experiences needs to be part of climate science education for the 21st century.