Nov. 15: Climate Change and Public Engagement in the Classroom

Climate change is one of the most complex challenges facing humanity. Preparing our students to make significant contributions to tackle the impacts of climate change will entail developing their abilities to thoughtfully engage with ideas, people, and the world. Through novel pedagogical strategies and engaged learning approaches, students can identify and practice the strategies and skillsets they will need to work directly with stakeholders and the public in responding to the challenges posed by a changing climate.

This session will introduce the core principles, ethics, approaches, and practices of engaged scholarship integral to courses that engage the public through rigorous hands-on learning experiences. Join Flavia Peréa, Director of the Mindich Program in Engaged Scholarship and Lecturer Sociology and Caitlin Schmid, Assistant Director of Engaged Scholarship for the Mindich Program in this workshop to discuss frameworks, learning goals, and provide concrete examples applicable to the broad, multidisciplinary area of climate education for undergraduates.

Lunch will be provided.  Open to all Harvard affiliates.

Sponsored by: The Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability at Harvard in partnership with the Mindich Program in Engaged Scholarship

Details:

Location:  Harvard University Center for the Environment, 440 Conference Room, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge MA 02138

Date and Time: November 15^th 12-1pm

Speakers:

Flavia Peréa

I am the founding Director of the Mindich Program in Engaged Scholarship (MPES) and a Lecturer in Sociology. I am an applied social scientist with a multidisciplinary academic background and professional experience in social policy, public health, education, health and human services, and child/youth development. I hold a PhD in Social Policy from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University, a Master’s Degree in Education from Bank Street College of Education, and completed my undergraduate liberal arts degree at the New School for Social Research. I completed my postdoctoral research at Wellesley College with funding from the National Institutes of Health. Prior to entering the academy, I was a PreK-8 classroom teacher and the Director of an early care and education program in a homeless shelter for women and children in the South Bronx. A born and raised NYer and proud NYC public high school graduate, my family and I have lived in Somerville, Mass. since 2002.

Caitlin Schmid

Assistant Director of Engaged Scholarship for the Mindich Program

Caitlin Schmid is the Assistant Director of Engaged Scholarship for the Mindich Program. Caitlin supports curricular and co-curricular opportunities for community-engaged teaching, learning, and student research, and works closely with the Mindich Student Advisory Committee. Before coming to the Mindich Program, Caitlin served as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Music at Reed College, St. Olaf College, and Carleton College. With subject matter ranging from musical avant-gardes to ecomusicology, her courses prioritized experiential learning, community collaboration, and the public humanities. She received her PhD in Historical Musicology from Harvard University, her MA in Music History from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and her BA in Music and English from Carleton College.