Climate change education the focus of upcoming lecture, summit and 家庭欢乐日

Three upcoming events this fall will each address climate change, providing fresh perspectives and all-ages learning about the pressing problems surrounding the issue.

阿诺德·C. Ott Lectureship in 化学

这 fall's presentation features Daniel G. Nocera, the Patterson Rockwood Professor of Energy at Harvard University. Nocera, noted for his discoveries in renewable energy, is the inventor of the Artificial Leaf and the Bionic Leaf, which set the stage for large-scale deployment of distributed solar energy.

的 community lecture, "的 Global Energy Challenge," will be held September 28 at 6 p.m. 在柯克霍夫 Center's Grand River Room. 

的 chemistry seminar, "Food and Fuel from Thin Air, Any Water and the Sun," will be held September 29 at 1 p.m. 在柯克霍夫 Center's Pere Marquette Room.

“我希望 attendees will enjoy the experience of hearing from an expert in the field of chemistry who is actively working to address the energy challenges our world faces," said Shannon Biros, 化学教授. “我希望 attendees will be inspired by these talks, and that they will recognize that change is possible and that science will help to solve these problems. 

"Lastly, I hope that everyone who attends these talks will learn something new about chemistry and will realize that science is not a scary thing but something that everyone can understand and relate to."

GVSU Climate Change Education Solutions Summit 2023

主题是 今年的年度峰会 是“连接 Minds for a Sustainable Climate Future."

的 summit is scheduled for October 17-18. 10月17日节目 is in person at the DeVos Center on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus. 的 late afternoon and evening lineup features an expo and several presentations, including a keynote from Bryan Alexander, an acclaimed futurist, researcher and author in the field of how technology 改变教育. (Alexander will also be part of the President's Forum, presented by President Philomena V. 曼特拉(10月16日).

On October 18, the programming 是在 Zoom starting at 10 a.m. 那 day will feature conversations and Q&As with a number of experts as well as showings of documentaries, including "Climate Sisu: the stories of climate resilience from Northern Michigan,” 最近发布的 production involving Grand Valley faculty and recent alumni.

的 summit is presented by the GVSU Climate Change Educations Solutions 网络, which connects scholars, students, K-12 educators and community members for a solutions-oriented approach to climate change education.

"Our focus this year 是在 the responsibilities of higher education in leading development of climate solutions," said Elena Lioubimtseva, professor of geography and sustainable planning and a leader of the network. "We will highlight the power of media in climate action, including storytelling and filmmaking."

Energizing Our Weekend Family Fun Event

的 Regional Math and Science Center is offering a free family fun event for students in grades K-8 and their families to engage in interactive renewable energy and sustainability sessions.

的 event at the Padnos Hall of Science 是在 11月4日上午10点开始.m.-3 p.m. 的re will be a wide range of topics for the hands-on learning sessions, including solar panels, wind turbines and nuclear energy.

Programs such as this event are part of the Regional Math and Science Center's goal to provide meaningful, high-quality STEM experiences to enrich and inform the community, said Diane Miller, business and community outreach coordinator.

"这 event is designed to increase STEM awareness and knowledge of today's learners of all ages," Miller said. “我希望 families will experience a wide range of interactive sessions to broaden their understanding of renewable energy and sustainability."