Join live or receive a link to the recording and earn a CE certificate
- This event has passed.
Shifting Landscapes: Studying the Impacts of Climate Change in Joshua Tree National Park
Wednesday, October 23, 2019 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm EDT
Presented by Dr. Lynn Sweet, Associate Research Specialist, Center for Conservation Biology, University of California, Riverside – Palm Desert Center; and Dr. Rhonda Burrough, Science Teacher at Katy High School, Katy TX
Hosted by Haley Nelson, JASON Learning Live Events Host
Co-hosted by edWeb.net and JASON Learning
Get a CE Certificate for this edWebinar Learn more
In this edWebinar, Dr. Sweet discusses her path into a science career as well as her research in plant ecology and conservation biology studying shifts in vegetation due to climate change in Joshua Tree National Park. Her research is regularly supported by the efforts of citizen scientists, including volunteers from the local area and international programs such as Earthwatch, as well as Student & Teacher “Argonauts” from JASON Learning, a K-12 STEM program. Dr. Sweet shares her thoughts on how teachers can translate scientific research on the impacts of climate change into classroom-accessible language that students can digest and act upon. She was joined by panelists including JASON Argonauts that have assisted with her field research in Joshua Tree, as well as a JASON curriculum expert who shares classroom-ready climate change resources and lessons.
This recorded edWebinar will be of interest to middle and high school teachers and school leaders.
About the Presenters
Dr. Lynn Sweet is an associate ecologist for the Center for Conservation Biology
at the University of California, Riverside. She received her Ph.D. in plant biology, studying the
spread of invasive plants in desert habitats. Her current research areas include conservation,
invasive species, and the impacts of climate change on plants and animals. The focus of her current work includes mapping vegetation and constructing habitat simulations for various species across the California deserts, primarily in desert and arid land regions.
Dr. Rhonda Burrough currently serves as a science teacher at Katy High School. Her love for science and science education developed while working towards her Ph.D. at the University of Florida, where she later taught for five years. Dr. Burrough has been at Katy High School for 11 years and has taught chemistry, pre-AP chemistry, AP chemistry, and AP environmental science. Dr. Burrough thoroughly enjoys both subject areas and considers teaching science to be a wonderful challenge and important in helping students develop their understanding of how the world works. She has worked for many years in the chemical industry and during her first job at Albemarle Corporation, she would perform science magic shows for children all over southern Arkansas. Dr. Burrough is dedicated to motivating and encouraging students to pursue fields in math and science. Dr. Burrough earned her bachelor’s in chemistry from Vanderbilt University, and her master’s and doctoral degrees in chemistry from the University of Florida.
About the Host
Haley Chamberlain Nelson is a science host on television and online. Her most recent credits include Smithsonian Channel’s hit series Bug Bites, 4 years hosting JASON Live Events, and 6 Seasons of Science Channel’s What On Earth? Haley has been a writer, producer, and host with Untamed Science for over 10 years, making science content viewed by over half the classrooms in the US and over 100,000 views per month online. Nelson co-wrote the award-winning documentary Decoding the Driftless, currently gaining acclaim on the festival circuit with last month’s “Best Picture” and “Best Cinematography” in the Los Angeles International Film Festival. Having grown up wishing to be an Argonaut herself, it is an honor to continue hosting with JASON Learning.
Join the Preserving the Planet community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.
JASON is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1989 by Dr. Robert D. Ballard. JASON provides curriculum and learning experiences in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) for K-12 students, and high-quality professional development for teachers. JASON has been used successfully in a wide variety of formal and informal education environments.