In Februrary, we posted about a unique dogsled expedition that sought to document the impact of global warming in the Canadian Arctic. Led by renowed explorer Will Steger, the 1,400 mile trek includes five emerging leaders in the field. The team is sharing the experience through video, images, sounds, and text at the Global Warming 101 site. As described by Steger, the expedition seeks to bring young people to the “front lines” of global warming and to utilize social networks to affect change.

Steger was recently interviewed by Public School Insights, a project of the Learning First Alliance, a permanent, non-profit partnership of 18 major national education associations that collectively represent over 10 million educators, parents, and policymakers. In the 16 minute interview, he discusses how books and images sparked his curiosity and lifelong love of science and how global warming provides a unique opportunity for relevant and challenging science education. At the Public School Insights web site, you can read a post about the interview and expedition, listen to various excerpts from the interview, or listen to the interview in its entirety.

Steger admits that there are challenges in teaching students about climate change, particularly elementary and middle school students. But, as he concludes, educators have a responsibility to educate their students and to prepare them for the future - one, that according to Steger, can be a “great one” if the challenges posed by climate change are met.