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UCL Department of Science and Technology Studies (STS) offers secondary school teachers inset days, working together to help expand knowledge about our subject while improving school activities.
Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our times. Scientists are overwhelmingly agreed on the causes, and yet many feel that not enough is being done. The STS Inset Day 2019 aims to help teachers discuss the subject with a deeper understanding of the history of the climate change movement, the philosophical arguments behind it, and greater insights into how the media portray the issue.
Held: 4 November 2019 at UCL Bloomsbury Campus
Programme
9:00 – 9:15 Introduction and Discussion
9:15 – 10:15 ‘Why Should We Care About Climate Change?’ (Professor Mark Maslin, UCL Geography)
Climate change is one of the greatest threats humanity has ever faced. It is also an opportunity for us to make a safer, healthier, and better world for all. Only by understanding the science and enormity of the changes required can we discuss potential win-won solutions. This session covers the science, the politics and the solution we have for the climate crisis.
10:15 - 11:00 'History of climate change, science and politics' (Professory Jon Agar, UCL STS)
Where did the evidence for climate change come from, and build to a consensus over time? When and how did climate change become a political issue?
11:00 - 11.30 Coffee
11:30 – 12:30 ‘Philosophy and Climate Change’ (Dr Emma Tobin, UCL STS)
This session will demonstrate how a number of philosophical issues are relevant when discussing the problems of climate change. Topics such as the role of evidence, modelling, skepticism and social epistemology will be covered.
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch
13:30 – 14:30 ‘Climate change and the Media’ (Dr Jean Baptiste Gouyon and Dr Simon Lock, UCL STS)
This session will think about the role of the media in framing climate change/global warming/a climate emergency in the public sphere, it will think about the issues of balance, facts versus opinion and the role of the media in advocacy and activism.
14:30 – 15:30 Putting this into practice in the classroom - Facilitation and Discussion (All)
Can't make this date?
STS also offers talks and visits for individual schools. If you're interested in showing your pupils a different view on science and technology, contact our Schools officer Dr Emma Tobin.
