Science Video

Global Warming Debate Heats Up in Science Classrooms, State Legislatures

March 7, 2018 8:38
Global Warming Debate Heats Up in Science Classrooms, State Legislatures
Global warming is a politically charged issue, and now disagreements over the cause of climate change are playing out in science classrooms. (March 7, 2018)
Mute
Current Time 0:00
/
Duration Time 0:00
Loaded: 0%
0:00
Progress: 0%
0:00
Progress: 0%
Stream TypeLIVE
Remaining Time -0:00
 

It’s been a three-year battle in Idaho over whether to approve new science education standards, largely because of disagreements over how to teach the subject of global warming. Some lawmakers argued the proposed science lessons would “spoon feed” students the conclusion that human activity is largely responsible for the increase in Earth’s temperature. They said students should be encouraged to look at the data and come to their own conclusions. But 8th grade science teacher Nathan Dean told Education Week it would be “educational malpractice” to teach global warming without emphasizing the major role humans play. This story aired just days before the Idaho Senate Education Committee voted to approve the new standards, with climate change sections intact. Scott Cook, the director of Academics at the Idaho Department of Education called the vote a “big win for Idaho students, science education and the democratic process.” The Senate action takes precedence over the action in the House Education Committee, which voted earlier to delete some of the sections on global warming. At least nine other states have tried to repeal, block or modify state science standards, partly because of the treatment of climate change, according to the National Center for Science Education. Those efforts have largely failed.

Video

Student Well-Being Video What’s Behind the Political Criticisms of Social-Emotional Learning?
The Trump administration says SEL is being used to veil discrimination. What does that mean for schools?
Students from Suelllen Vesperman’s first grade class dance to the Macarena as they participate in an exercise through the InPACT program at North Elementary School in Birch Run, Mich., on March 2, 2023.
Students from Suelllen Vesperman’s first grade class dance to the Macarena as they participate in an exercise through the InPACT program at North Elementary School in Birch Run, Mich., on March 2, 2023.
Emily Elconin for Education Week
Student Well-Being Video The First Rule of SEL for Older Students? Don’t Be Boring
Middle and high schoolers are a much tougher audience for social-emotional-learning lessons.
2 min read
A high school student introduces herself to her classmates and guests in an AP research class.
A high school student introduces herself to her classmates and guests in an AP research class.
Allison Shelley for All4Ed
Student Well-Being Video The Skills Employers Want Most in the AI Age All Have Something in Common
Explaining how SEL can help students prepare for the working world may help more families get behind it, educators say.
2 min read
Students at Skyline High School work together during an after-school tutoring club.
Students at Skyline High School work together during an after-school tutoring club.
Allison Shelley for All4Ed
Reading & Literacy Video How Everyday Objects Can Strengthen Phonemic Awareness
Teachers can create homegrown kits to help students master phonemic awareness—how to manipulate the sounds in English.
2:17
Students at R. Brown McAllister Elementary School use mirrors to see themselves sounding out words for phonemic awareness during literary instruction in Concern, N.C., on March 19, 2025.
Students at R. Brown McAllister Elementary School use mirrors to see themselves sounding out words for phonemic awareness during literary instruction in Concern, N.C., on March 19, 2025.
Cornell Watson for Education Week