Submitting Campus

Daytona Beach

Department

Applied Aviation Sciences

Document Type

Article

Publication/Presentation Date

Winter 1-6-2010

Abstract/Description

A comprehensive approach to climate change education is necessary to address numerous environmental issues. Such an all-encompassing ecological pedagogy is multifaceted providing an overview of the science behind major global environmental issues within the context of the physical environment of Earth including global climate change, resource extraction, water and air quality, urbanization, geohazards, and pollution. The main goal of the curricula is to engage students in rigorous analyses of data that can be compared with global trends. This research discusses the development of an upper-level college course on Climate Change created as part of an interdisciplinary Honors Seminar Series. The course makes use of multimedia instructional techniques to examine the physical, economic, and political dynamics of climate change. The curriculum includes an appraisal of assorted global warming websites as well as computer-based simulations and analysis of relevant climate data using current technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Among the most powerful tools of a GIS are its modeling capabilities, which allow simulation of various climate change classroom scenarios such as storm surge and sea level rise. Relevant aspects include changes in coastal land use, wetlands, and shoreline configuration. Students also examine the role of music as a means of raising awareness of issues such as global warming. The topic of climate change is extremely complex and the challenge for educators is to enlighten students through ways and means that that are truthful, understandable, and comprehensive.

Publication Title

WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on ENVIRONMENT and DEVELOPMENT

Publisher

World Scientific and Engineering Academy and Society

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