Climate change is one of the greatest societal challenges of our time and is also playing an increasingly important role in the school setting. The Spotlight featured three projects that address climate change, the energy transition, and climate neutrality from different scientific perspectives. The discussion around these topics seemed particularly relevant given the current heat wave affecting large parts of Europe.
First, project team member Stefanie Preiml, a researcher at the University of Klagenfurt, presented the project “Klagenfurt goes climate-neutral” The research project examines the challenges and opportunities of climate-neutral urban development using Klagenfurt in Southern Austria as a case study. Together with students, the project examines location-specific issues related to climate protection and climate justice, such as free access to lakes.
Martin Schneider, a researcher at AIT, presented his project “Climate-Resilient Schools”, which investigates how school sites can be better adapted to the consequences of climate change and thus become more climate-resilient. The research findings are intended to be directly incorporated into school development—including in the form of a catalog of measures for schools—thereby creating tangible added value for everyday school life.
Judith Flatscher, a doctoral candidate at the University of Innsbruck, and Berthold Steiner, a teacher participating in the project with his class in Innsbruck, presented the project “WattsAhead: Energy Literacy for the Future”. The research project focuses on the question of how school students can acquire the skills needed to better understand the challenges of the energy transition and actively help shape it.
The Spotlight demonstrated how Sparkling Science projects can help to address global societal challenges such as climate change in the classroom and work through them scientifically with students on equal terms.
A recording of the presentations (held in German) is available for viewing HERE.
