Written by: Reagan Flowers, Ph.D.
None of us can predict the future, but one thing we do know is that climate change could significantly affect what that future looks like. Therefore, we need to address two things in schools to help students succeed in the future: upgrading infrastructure and giving students the skills they need as the atmosphere continues to evolve. The world will need talented, innovative engineers, scientists, and mathematicians to solve upcoming challenges–some we haven’t even thought of yet.
The Impact of Outdated Infrastructure
A new report shows that outdated schools contribute to the declining environment with old facilities and gasoline-dependent buses and could widen learning gaps. In addition, students fall behind if schools are forced to close due to the inability to address a heat wave, freeze, or other weather events.
As you know, this most directly affects those students who are already disadvantaged. As we learned from the pandemic, low-income and minority students cannot afford to miss more days. This is also crucial for students without technology at home and Pre-K – elementary students who’ve not yet developed the study skills and self-management to learn solely in a virtual environment.
The primary concerns are power, heat, and cooling – the elements that keep a school open and running despite obstacles.
How to Upgrade Schools
Though upgrades can seem daunting and expensive, some enhancements will save schools money over time. For example, installing a water-efficient plumbing system can reduce energy use by 15 percent. In addition, converting to electric vehicles will reduce diesel emissions while saving the school money on gas.
Furthermore, converting heat and air to electric will reduce gas emissions. Installing solar energy and battery sources can help schools stay open during outages. This is important, as they can also serve as a refuge for students and families with nowhere to go during weather emergencies.
Another way to positively impact the environment is by planting more greenery and community gardens. These can also serve as teaching lessons for students and a healthy food source in food-insecure areas.
Incorporating Climate Change Into Curriculum
Making STEM relevant and exciting is how we inspire tomorrow’s change-makers and problem-solvers. That’s why C-STEM’s 2022 student challenges and curriculum focused on climate tech and global water problems. Students must have hands-on opportunities to apply the principles they’re learning. There’s no better way to do this than to tie lessons into current events, developments, and issues affecting their futures.
Teachers need more opportunities to stay current on climate change to make this doable. This could be through a supplemental curriculum, like the kind we offer through our training institute here at C-STEM. There are also free webinars available throughout the year. We share these opportunities in our newsletter whenever possible.
When schools invest in upgrades, this creates another learning opportunity. For example, the addition of solar panels explores the science of how they work and impact client change. This is also an opportunity to discuss career possibilities like engineer, electrician, or construction foreman.
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In our lifetime, we’ve already seen weather changes; increases in deadly storms, fires, and floods; and a rising sea level. We must do everything we can to help prepare students for the changes they’ll see in their lifetimes. Taking steps now can help minimize damage and set these students up to make a tangible difference in addressing future climate change issues.
