[Vanity] - Help Needed re Global Warming Being Taught to My 10-Year Old In Scool

vanity | 9/12/2011 | grady

[grady]

Returning from ball practice tonight, my 5th grader informed me that today, in science class, he learned that carbon dioxide is causing global warming, melting glaciers, etc., etc. My initial reaction was to say "that's a bunch of baloney" but I contained myself. I'm not surprised that they're teaching it, and I'm ok with him hearing about it (it's everywhere nowadays anyway), provided he learns to take in the information with a critical mindset and challenge it. He'll learn more that way anyway.

We discussed the difference between theories and facts, as well as the importance of using the scientific method to get from the former to the latter. I don't want him to simply walk into class and tell the teacher that his dad thinks she's teaching nonsense. Instead, I'd like him to be prepared to challenge the the validity of her lesson by simply asking questions that she'll be unable to answer.

Perhaps he can ask: Does ALL scientists believe that CO2 causes global warming? If not, what do the other scientists think? How do we know global warming is caused by CO2 and not something else? What might prove it's not happening (i.e. current cooling) and has anything like that happened that you know of? Can you explain how the scientific method was applied and supports the theory? Was the earth always the same temperature or has climate always varied?

I don't believe the teacher will be prepared to do anything other than read out of the book. Therefore, I think that if he asks the right questions, and sees that the teacher is unprepared to answer, he might draw his own conclusions as to whether he should believe the hype.

He's a smart kid who's not afraid to respectfully raise such a challenge to a teacher. So, fellow Freepers, this is where I could use your help. How many of you have addressed this before and what suggestions do you have to help my kid put a critical spotlight on this lesson plan? Are there any resources out there I might rely on?

[Katya]

My high school daughter likes to ask teacher’s questions.... have them explain for example: How the Romans were able to grow wine in Scotland for example, since it’s far too cold now.
That way she isn’t “outed” as a naysayer lol

[SirKit]

To the question Do ALL scientists believe that CO2 causes global warming? there is a documented answer: The Petition Project Statement , signed by 31,487 Americans with university degrees in science – including 9,029 PhDs.

• The purpose of the Petition Project is to demonstrate that the claim of “settled science” and an overwhelming “consensus” in favor of the hypothesis of human-caused global warming and consequent climatological damage is wrong. No such consensus or settled science exists. As indicated by the petition text and signatory list, a very large number of American scientists reject this hypothesis.

My name appears in the list of Petition signers from Massachusetts.

Science is seeking the truth through experiment and rational thought. Distorting Science for political ends is corrupt, and often leads to human misery.

I wish your 5th grader great success in his school work, especially in his study of (my great loves) science and math.

[Publius6961]

Bookmark

[TheEditor]

I’m 47. I remember encountering global cooling stuff sometime in grade school. It would be instructive to have copies of the materials - books, pamphlets - we read back then to show kids now.

If anyone knows where to find stuff like this I could use it for my 9-year old. Along with civics/gov’t texts from the day too.

[OneWingedShark]

Of interest:
Nobel laureate resigns from American Physical Society to protest the organization’s stance [on global warming] — http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2778294/posts