LIGC sponsored a recent seminar, organised by the ECI, on how climate change can be taught effectively withing the existing British A level Geography curriculum. Prof Martin Evans was involved in creating the latest syllabus that teachers are currently using. Although there isn’t much in the specification about climate, and curriculum changes happen far too slowly for this to be a sensible area for climate action, Martin explained to an audience of teachers that in fact they have a great deal of freedom to include climate in a large proportion of the modules.
There were lots of great ideas in Martin’s talk, and the teachers seems suitably enthused if slightly daunted. Geography is arguably the fastest changing subject, which means that teachers are always challenged to keep up with latest information, data, case studies etc. They have to cover a huge breadth of material. And they are probably the teachers most in the firing line for climate questions from students. There is a certainly an opportunity for them to become leaders in climate solutions by arming themselves with appropriate knowledge, resources and lesson plans, but they probably need some support.
LIGC is offering local teachers support in climate understanding through the one hour sessions we have trialled with IB teachers. We have also partnered with an Oxford teacher and climate activist to create the Teachers for Future Oxfordshire Facebook page for local teachers to swap ideas. We are highlighted the ECI’s intiative Maths for Planet Earth which although created for maths teachers, shows how an existing curriculum can be adapted to teach new material. And we are encouraging teachers and schools to look at EduCCate Global, the UN accredited online climate training for teachers. This is 20+ hours but those who have done it feel it has been very empowering.
A positive outcome for geography as a school subject might be that after years of being one of the less popular subjects, students might begin to see its value for their lives and their careers.