Elgin High students join in National Biodoversity Teach-In
Environmental science students from Elgin High School are once again preparing to virtually bring a variety of worldwide experts to the classroom as part of the third annual National Biodiversity Teach-In.
The Teach-In is a series of free webinars which will feature more than a dozen scientists discussing topics including wildlife poaching, coral reef conservation and the plight of killer whales.
"Our vision for the Teach-In this year is to connect as many classrooms as possible with scientists, authors, filmmakers, lawmakers, grass-roots organizations and science heroes," said Deb Perryman, U-46 Coordinator of K-12 Science and Planetarium.
The webinars first began in 2016 to raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity. The story of Martha, the last known living passenger pigeon within the ecosystem, increased the students' interest and desire to discuss biodiversity with some of the best experts in the field.
In 2017, the event attracted thousands of environmental science enthusiasts from around the globe. More than 25,000 registered participants were represented from 36 states and 19 other nations. Since the start of the event in 2016, the Teach-In has registered more than 70,000 participants.
The Elgin High students have scheduled more than three dozen experts for webinars which took place Feb. 2, and will continue to take place during the school day and into the early evening Feb. 9, 14, 16 and 23. The speakers will lead a lecture on an environmental topic and leave time for discussion.
The webinars are free and open to the public. The events will be broadcast on the Teach-In website at www.nationalbiodiversityteachin.com.
Registration is required in advance on the website.
On Friday, Feb. 9, the schedule will be: Dr. Callum Roberts, Corala Reef Conservation, at 8 a.m.; Terry Tamminen, Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, at 9 a.m.; Karen Miranda, Controlled Burns, Impact in Wildlife, at 10 a.m.; Joseph Milanovich, Aquatic Ecology, at noon; Emily Lindsey, Climate Change Impact Research, at 1 p.m.; Chadden Hunter, Producer of Educational Animal Videos at 2 p.m.; and David Vaughan, Coral Reef Restoration, at 4 p.m.
On Wednesday, Feb. 14, the schedule will be: Paul Fleischman, Newbery-Winning Writer at 8 a.m.; Laurie Lawlor, Science Author, at 9 a.m.; John Horner, Science Author, at 10 a.m.; and Nancy Castaldo, Back from the Brink: Saving Animals from Extinction, at 11 a.m.
On Friday, Feb. 16, the schedule will be: Dr. Tim Mousseau, Ionizing Radiation and its Effect on Wildlife, at 9 a.m.; Sandra Postal, Water Conservation, at 10 a.m.; Elizabeth Bach, Soil Biodiversity, at 11 a.m.; Celeste Parry, Marine Mammal Conservation-Spotlight on the Vaquita, at noon; Catherine Thomasson, Impact of Human Population, at 1 p.m.; and Caitlin E. O'Connell-Rodwell, Elephants, at 2 p.m.
On Friday, Feb. 23, the Teach In will conclude with: Koustubh Sharma, Snow Leopards, at 8 a.m.; Dorie Stolley, Wild Bird Identification, at 9 a.m.; Amanda Glaze, Evolution, at 10 a.m.; Peggy Doty, North American Predators, at 11 a.m.; Ann Frauscher, Batty for Bats, at noon; Claire O'Neill, Environmental Ethics, at 1 p.m.; Barbara Maas, Endangered Species Conservation Group, at 2 p.m.; and Rachel Sarnoff, Microbeads, at 4 p.m.