Infusing Climate Change Curriculum in a Technology Program

该项目旨在通过解决气候变化对工业的影响，重点关注能源和交通部门，为国家利益服务。它的影响在于解决与气候变化有关的技术教育的国家差距。最近的政府报告强调了紧迫性，列举了极端天气事件、海平面上升、风暴增加和运营中断。工业将需要适应这些挑战，这一倡议力求在培养专业人员方面发挥关键作用，使他们具备必要的技术专长和技能，以便在面对不断变化的气候时有效适应和可持续发展。与行业领导者合作，该项目将确定针对这些挑战的关键学生学习目标。分析结果将用于开发10个模块，这些模块将无缝集成到现有的技术项目中。研讨会将对教师和高中教师进行模块整合方面的培训，而随后与选定小组的合作将在课堂环境中实施这些模块，并评估学生的学习成果。该项目致力于以证据为基础的教育，再加上举办教育研讨会，突显了其影响技术人员气候变化教育的潜力。这项计划不仅提高了学生对气候变化的认识，而且还使他们具备了适应行业的关键技术技能，以满足行业在面对不断变化的气候挑战时的需求。该项目的主要目标是为机械和电气技术专业的毕业生提供装备，以应对与气候变化相关的行业挑战。该项目将与行业合作伙伴合作，采用知识、技能和能力（KSA）方法进行全面分析，确定在受气候变化影响的行业中成功就业的关键技能。这些见解将指导10个模块的开发，这些模块旨在教育机械和电气工程技术专业的学生了解气候变化以及有效的预防和缓解技术。项目团队成员将积极与行业和ATE中心合作，以确定和整合经过验证的教学实践。这些模块将通过讲习班介绍给技术教师，并进行课堂测试，评估的重点是了解气候变化以及对相关预防和缓解技术的熟练程度。此外，该项目还将举办一个专门针对技术人员的气候变化教育的教育研讨会。研讨会、课堂实施、评估和研讨会的发现和见解将通过专门的研讨会、会议和出版物传播给教育工作者和行业专业人士。该项目由先进技术教育计划资助，该计划侧重于为推动国家经济的先进技术领域培养技术人员。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project aims to serve the national interests by addressing the impacts of climate change on industries, focusing on energy and transportation sectors. Its impact lies in addressing a national gap in technology education related to climate change. Recent government reports underscore the urgency, citing extreme weather events, rising sea levels, increased storms, and operational disruptions. Industry will need to adapt to these challenges, and this initiative seeks to play a pivotal role in preparing professionals with the essential technical expertise and skills necessary for effective adaptation and sustainable development in the face of a changing climate. Collaborating with industry leaders, the project will identify crucial student learning objectives tailored to these challenges. The resulting analysis will be used to develop ten modules that will seamlessly integrate into existing technology programs. Workshops will educate faculty and high school teachers on module integration, while subsequent collaboration with a select group will implement the modules in a classroom setting and assess student learning outcomes. The project's commitment to evidence-based education, coupled with an educational symposium, underscores its potential to influence climate change education for technicians. This initiative not only enhances student awareness of climate change but also empowers them with the technical skills crucial for industry adaptation, meeting the needs of industry in the face of evolving climate challenges.The project's primary goal will be to graduate students from mechanical and electrical technology programs equipped to address industry challenges related to climate change. Collaborating with industry partners, the project will employ a Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) approach for a comprehensive analysis, pinpointing essential skills crucial for successful employment in climate change-affected industries. These insights will guide the development of ten modules aimed at educating mechanical and electrical engineering technology students on climate change, and effective preventive and mitigative technologies. Project team members will actively collaborate with industry and ATE centers to identify and integrate proven teaching practices. The modules will be introduced to technology teachers through workshops and undergo classroom testing, with assessments focusing on both understanding climate change and proficiency in associated prevention and mitigation technologies. Additionally, the project will host an educational symposium dedicated to climate change education for technicians. Findings and insights from workshops, classroom implementation, assessments, and the symposium will be disseminated to educators and industry professionals through dedicated workshops, conferences, and publications. This project is funded by the Advanced Technological Education program that focuses on the education of technicians for the advanced-technology fields that drive the Nation's economy.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.