In late March, a dozen teachers from Puget Sound ESD gathered at the Tacoma Nature Center to learn about how human health is impacted by climate change locally. After grappling with some of the latest data on regional air quality and climate change, teachers engaged with Dr. Heidi Roop, climate scientist and researcher at the UW Climate Impacts Group, and learned about local climate adaptation behaviors. Later in the day, teachers were equipped with hand-held air quality meters and ventured across the campus and surrounding urban roadways taking readings of PM2.5, identifying trends and patterns in their data. They discussed what they learned with professionals from the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency and explored environmental inequities due to climate change impacts. This STEM Seminar was also hosted in Vancouver, WA with 31 teachers and will be held in Spokane, WA in late May.
Elementary Students Tackle Air Pollution in their Schoolyards
Guided by teachers participating in IslandWood’s “Community-Centered Climate Action” teacher professional learning course, students make a change in their school community. At Emerald Heights Elementary, Karrie Coombe and Chantal Fleck’s students took on a global...
