Environmental science class takes part in national biodiversity teach-in

Posted January 20, 2016 10:00 pm

Elgin Area School District U-46

Kimberly Wasserman won the 2013 North American Goldman Environmental Prize for leading local residents in a successful campaign to shut down two old, dirty coal plants in Chicago and working to transform the sites into parks and multiuse sites. Courtesy of Kimberly Wasserman

Two Elgin High School teachers want to give their students, staff and community members a front-row seat to the best scientists and environmentalists in the world.

Environmental science teachers Deb Perryman and Brigid Trimble can't foot the bill to fly their students around the world so they have done the next best thing - organized a series of webinars featuring renowned speakers, from environmental activist and actor Ed Begley Jr. to 2013 North American Goldman Environmental Prize recipient Kimberly Wasserman.

Perryman and Trimble will co-host the February sessions, or what they're billing as a "National Biodiversity Teach In."

Elgin High School Environmental Science teacher Deb Perryman has taught classes on biodiversity, the study of species and the ecosystem, for 21 years.

This year, Perryman and Trimble wanted to raise the bar after seeing their students become more passionate about global environmental issues.

The story of Martha, the last known living passenger pigeon within the ecosystem, increased their student's interest and desire to discuss biodiversity with some of the best experts in the field.

"This is the chance to be exposed to biodiversity by interacting with professionals all around the world," Perryman said. "Students are given a purpose to empower one another and know they can make a difference in our environment."

The Elgin High School Environmental Science students have already scheduled a couple dozen experts for webinars taking place during the school day and into the early evening on Feb. 5, 11, 12, 19 and 26. The speakers will each lead a lecture on an environmental topic and leave time for discussion.

The webinars are free and open to the public, however there is limited space and registration is required. The events will be broadcast at www.nationalbiodiversityteachin.com.

Note: The program schedule for Feb. 11 is not yet set. Scheduled to speak are: Lindsay Hirt, marine biologist, professor and author; David Shiffman, Ph.D student, University of Miami-Shark Biology and Conservation; Alex Dempsey, coral reef ecologist, Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation, Master of Science; Laura Faye Tenenbaum, Earth Science Communication Team, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory; and Alan Lewitus, supervisory oceanographer, NOAA's National Ocean Service, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research.

Feb. 5

• 9 to 10 a.m.: Children's author Melissa Stewart

• 10 to 11 a.m.: Corey Romberg, director of Lemur Conservation Network

• 11 a.m. to noon: Bill Graham, marine biologist, professor and author

• Noon to 1 p.m.: Charles Margulis, Center for Environmental Health

• 1 to 2 p.m.: Katharine Hayhoe, climate scientist, educator

• 2 to 3 p.m.: Ann Froschauer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

• 3 to 4 p.m.: Carol Bliese, director, teacher programs, Population Education

• 4 to 5 p.m.: University of Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences

Feb. 11

• 10 to 11 a.m.: Sue Fisher, Whale Conservation, Animal Welfare Institute

• 11 a.m. to noon: Documentary filmmaker Rick Wood

• Noon to 1 p.m.: Naomi A. Rose, PhD., marine mammal scientist, Animal Welfare Institute

• 1 to 2 p.m.: Dr. Deborah Giles and Elizabeth Seely, Conservation Canines Dog Trainer Orca Scat Project

• 2 to 3 p.m.: Michael Harris, Emmy winning documentary filmmaker

• 3 to 4 p.m.: Carter Ries, age 12, and Olivia, age 11, One More Generation, Youth Advocating for Endangered Species

• 4 to 5 p.m.: Jacques White, executive director, Long Live the Kings

Feb. 19

• 8 to 9 a.m.: Dorie Stolley, wildlife biologist, Three Birds Consulting and Goldenrod Foundation

• 9 to 10 a.m.: Jennifer Hopwood, senior pollinator conservation specialist, the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation

• 10 to 11 a.m.: David Krabbenhoft, team leader and founder, Mercury Research Lab, U.S. Geological Survey

• 11 a.m. to noon: Sandra Postel, director, Global Water Policy Project, National Geographic Fellow

• Noon to 1 p.m.: Ed Begley Jr., environmental activist and actor

• 1 to 2 p.m.: Peggy Doty, environmental and energy stewardship, University of Illinois Extension

• 2 to 3 p.m.: Tricia Bethke, Illinois Forest Pest Outreach Coordinator, Morton Arboretum

• 3 to 4 p.m.: Dan Tefft, founder, Clime-It Solutions

Feb. 26

• 9 to 10 a.m.: Dr. Timothy Mousseau, professor, University of South Carolina

• 10 to 11 a.m.: Carl Stenoien, Ph.D. Student, University of Minnesota-Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, The Monarch Lab

• 11 a.m. to noon: Kimberly Wasserman, 2013 North American Goldman Environmental Prize recipient

• Noon to 1 p.m.: Pam Otto, manager of nature programs and interpretive services, Hickory Knolls Discovery Center

• 1 to 2 p.m.: Mike Fleming and Valerie Stein, Soundview School's eighth-grade science class

• 2 to 3 p.m.: LoriAnne Barnett, education coordinator, USA National Phenology Network

• 3 to 4 p.m.: Amanda Dworak-Rowland, education specialist, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, National Park Service

Children's author Melissa Stewart is the award-winning author of more than 150 science books for children. Courtesy of Melissa Stewart

On Friday, Feb. 5, Corey Romberg, director of Lemur Conservation Network, will lead a webinar on how the network works to protect Madagascar's lemurs from extinction. Courtesy of Lynne Venart

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