ATA Science Council 2019 Conference

Educators from all backgrounds will experience a powerful interactive visualization that helps learners explore the effect of global changes in human activity on carbon emissions.  bring laptop, if possible.

The King’s Centre for Visualization in Science (KCVS, www.kcvs.ca) is coordinating a project at the energy-climate nexus in Alberta, along with partners, including the Alberta Council on Environmental Education, Energy Futures Lab, Student Energy, and PEEL. We have developed science-based, peer-reviewed, interactive simulations and visual learning tools that will inspire hope and action toward energy choices that reduce GHG emissions. Come explore in a hands-on workshop how you can introduce this tool to students, especially at junior high and high school levels. How much difference would it make if we converted coal fired power to solar? If buildings and lighting were more efficient? If farmers changed tillage practices? The interactive graph visualizes the reduction of carbon emissions through removal of carbon stabilization wedges in real time, and a ‘reality check’ alerts the user of the limits of each action on climate change. Underlying assumptions are included for the learner’s reference.

Knowing that beliefs are framed in socially constructed narratives, and that fruitful interactions rely on conscious awareness of identity and values, the workshop will present evidence for the importance of narratives in motivating action on climate change, and provide the opportunity for educators to workshop storylines relevant to their specific audiences. Narratives give learners the space and framing to see themselves within the solutions in ways that are consistent with their worldviews. Climate change action must be framed in positive, inclusive, encouraging narratives to have the necessary broad impact, and to unite, rather than continue to polarize. Appropriate narratives will enable educators to reach learners who have not previously had access to non-polarizing, curiosity-driven energy awareness resources.