NC CLIMATE Fellows

Climate Literacy: Integrating Modeling & Technology Experiences (CLIMATE) in NC Classrooms: An Interdisciplinary, Global Climate Change Fellows Program

A Professional Development Program for 
High School Science Teachers

The application period for the 2013 NC CLIMATE Fellows Program is now closed.
For questions please contact Dana Haine at (919) 843-5735 or dhaine@unc.edu. 

NC CLIMATE Fellows will interact with diverse climate change scientists and engage in hands-on, inquiry-based activities designed to support learning about the science of climate change and its impacts on terrestrial, marine, and hydrological systems. Fellows will be exposed to global, regional and NC specific data on climate change and will also study climate change from economic and social perspectives. Fellows will not only be introduced to scientists who rely on NASA resources to study global climate change but will participate in activities that demonstrate the value of these resources to classroom instruction. Content and activities will be aligned with the NC Science Essential Standards. Fellows will develop or adapt a lesson pertaining to climate change that incorporates one or more NASA resources.

This program is sponsored by UNC-Chapel Hill’s Institute for the Environment with funding provided by NASA's Innovations in Climate Education Program.

Each NC CLIMATE Fellow will be expected to commit to participating in all of the following activities that will take place during this year-long, professional development program:

1) Professional Development Workshops:

3-Day Summer Institute

Tuesday, June 18- Thursday June 20, 2013 at the North Carolina Botanical Garden, UNC-Chapel Hill

All snacks and meals provided with the exception of dinner on day three; free lodging provided at a nearby hotel with shuttle to and from institute.

Two Weekend Retreats*

September 21-22, 2013 at Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Waynesville, NC

April 5-6, 2014 at UNC’s Albemarle Ecological Field Site in Manteo, NC

*Participants are required to attend at least one weekend retreat.

All meals provided; free lodging provided in a dorm-like facility; tent camping may also be an option.

2) Webinars:
Three, 90-minute evening Webinars devoted to supporting classroom adoption of resources and development of lesson plans; two 30-minute Webinars facilitated by the program’s external evaluator.

3) Lesson Development:
Participants will develop/adapt a lesson that incorporates NASA data/models and will implement the lesson with one or more classes during the academic year following the summer institute.

4) Ongoing evaluation activities as required by NASA.

NC CLIMATE Fellows will receive:

· An up to date account of climate change science by interacting first-hand with climate change scientists from diverse scientific disciplines.

· Authentic experiential learning opportunities designed to enhance knowledge of the climate change issues and impacts specific to coastal North Carolina and the Southern Appalachian Mountains.

· A wealth of new ideas and instructional resources including curriculum-related materials.

· $500 stipend upon completion of the Summer Institute and at least one weekend retreat.

· $250 upon successful completion of a lesson plan.

· Continuing Education Unit (CEU) credits, as well as Criteria II and III credit in the N.C. Environmental Education Certification Program through the N.C. Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs.

Prospective Applicants MUST:

· Be a high school science teacher in the state of North Carolina.

· Be available to participate in the Summer Institute and at least one weekend retreat.

· Have access to a working Internet connection with audio capabilities during evening hours for Webinars.

· Be in good physical condition. Field experiences may include hiking, walking, wading and other activities in hot, humid conditions as well as cold weather.

The application period for the 2013 NC CLIMATE Fellows Program is now closed.

For questions please contact Dana Haine at (919) 843-5735 or dhaine@unc.edu.