By: Carson MacPherson-Krutsky | NHRRC student member
Last Thursday, the Idaho State Senate reversed a decision made by the House of Representatives to exclude mention of human impacts on climate change in Idaho’s K-12 science standards. The science standards will now be adopted in full, as originally written.
Before the Senate vote, nationwide and local coverage focused on the fact that Idaho was the only state to remove mention of human influence on climate change in the updated science standards. Reporting on a public hearing, held February 7th at the Statehouse, noted that public opinion was greatly in favor of adopting the standards as written, but the House did not agree. The Senate weighed in two days later and sided with the public. Now comes the hard part – how to teach to the new standards.
Since many K-12 teachers did not grow up in a time when climate science was taught, many do not have the tools to teach it. BSU associate professor Dr. Jen Pierce sees this as an opportunity for BSU’s community to help support Idaho teachers teaching climate change. To do this, she has developed and led activities like Greenhouse Gas Tag and in-class worksheets at local schools, which were recently featured in a PBS News Hour Segment (watch video).
In addition to the class activities, Dr. Pierce is also working with colleagues to host teacher training workshops. She co-led the first workshop this winter and is hoping to schedule another for this summer in collaboration with The Boise State Writing Project. Stay tuned!
Members of NHRRC community, please share any other notable work that is being done by faculty, community members, or students in the BSU community by emailing carsonmk@gmail.com. Great work Dr. Pierce!
Learn more about what’s been happening on this topic:
NY Times –
After Years of Fighting, Idaho Retains Climate Change in Its Education Guidelines
Idaho Stripped Climate Change From School Guidelines. Now, It’s a Battle.
Idaho Statesman –
When it comes to science, legislators, trust your Idaho educators and experts
Idaho Ed News –
House Education Committee Again Removes References to Climate Change