March 6, 2023

Norup Students Interview Climate Activists

Norup Students Interview Climate Activists 

Norup 8th grade students met and interviewed various activists and scientists involved in climate change as part of their final unit challenge project during class on February 28 as part of a combined science and journalism project . 

The following guests visited Norup: Deandra Smith - Climate Ready Page, Aliyu Sadiq - ECOCYKLE, Dr. Michael DorseyThe Sierra Club Michigan Environmental Council, Laprisha Daniels - Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice, and Dr. Thomas Bianchette - Coastal Hazard & Environmental Reconstruction Lab. The visits were organized by Norup science and math teacher, Dr. Megan Throm. 

Prior to the interviews, students in Prima Dailey’s Journalism classes visited Dr. Throm’s science classes to teach their fellow classmates how to write questions and to practice interviewing. The journalism students then worked on creating an interview guide to share with their science peers.

Meanwhile, students in the science classes were learning about their unit on global climate change. Dr. Throm shared, “Students learned about the greenhouse system and the role of greenhouse gasses in making Earth habitable, analyzed data and made arguments using evidence and scientific reasoning regarding whether natural processes or human activities are more likely responsible for the current changes to Earth’s climate and used criteria and constraints to analyze possible changes families could make to reduce their carbon footprint.”

During the interviews, the climate activists and scientists shared their experiences and insights on the effects of climate change on the environment, economy, and communities. They discussed the various challenges that arise due to climate change and the urgent need to take action. The students were also able to learn about the current state of the environment and the various ways that they can make a positive impact.

To complete the project, Dr. Throm’s students shared what they learned with the Journalism students. The journalism classes will take what was learned to create a podcast episode for the student-run podcast, The Dailey Dose, about investigative journalism which will be published sometime before spring break.