Former Astronaut Sally Ride Invites Educators to Explore Climate Change at Two-Day Conference

(San Diego, CA) - How has the Earth’s climate changed in the 25 years since Dr. Sally Ride, America’s first woman in space, first viewed it from above? What changes are predicted over the next 25 years? How can educators incorporate this information into their daily lessons in interesting, meaningful ways? This July, Sally Ride Science™ partners with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to present a two-day educator conference on climate change. “Earth Then, Earth Now: Our Changing Climate” will focus on understanding climate change and celebrate the 25th anniversary of Ride’s first space shuttle mission. The conference will be held July 23-24 at the NOAA Science Center in Silver Spring, Md.

“Earth Then, Earth Now: Our Changing Climate” will help educators learn how to integrate the science of Earth’s changing climate into their classrooms. Participants will investigate the basic science behind our understanding of climate change, as well as global impacts on the atmosphere, ocean, and every continent and ecosystem around the world.

“In 1983, when I looked down on Earth, I could see glaciers in the Himalayas, atolls in the Pacific Ocean, and rain forests in Madagascar. Since then, many glaciers have disappeared, some atolls are underwater, and the rain forests have thinned,” said Ride, president and CEO of Sally Ride Science. “Climate change is an ideal interdisciplinary, integrating theme for education. This conference will help teachers provide students with the opportunity to better comprehend the interconnectedness of this important topic, and use this knowledge in their lives and their communities.”

Additional support is generously provided by the Department of Energy (DOE), the Northrop Grumman Corporation, the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), the US Forest Service, and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA).

The educator conference will include a keynote talk by Ride, presentations by prominent scientists, hands-on activities, and ideas for facing our climate challenge and creating a healthier planet. Participants will learn strategies to bring this topic into their classrooms with activities and resources for their students. During an educator street fair, participants will have an opportunity to interact with federal agencies and organizations on the front lines of climate change research.

 

About the Educator Conference

“Earth Then, Earth Now: Our Changing Climate” will be held at the NOAA Science Center, located at 1301 East-West Hwy in Silver Spring, Md. The conference, which is open to K12 educators, runs from 8 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. on July 23 and from 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 24. The conference cost is $60 and advance registration is required. The registration fee includes the featured talk by Ride, workshops, lunch and classroom materials. Registration also includes a reception on the evening of the 22nd at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in honor of Dr. Ride’s first space flight. For more information, contact Sally Ride Science at 1-800-561-5161 or visit http://www.sallyridescience.com/conference.

 

About Sally Ride Science

Sally Ride Science is an innovative science content company dedicated to fueling girls’ and boys’ interests in science, math and technology. Dr. Sally Ride, best known as America’s first woman in space, founded the company in 2001 to create quality programs and products that educate, entertain, engage and inspire. Our programs include Sally Ride Science Festivals, TOYchallenge, Educator Institutes, summer camps, and after-school programs. Our publications include award-winning science books, science career books, and innovative Classroom Sets to supplement science instruction. Our publications and programs bring science to life and show kids that science is creative, collaborative, fascinating and fun. For more information go to www.SallyRideScience.com or call 1-800-561-5161.