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Oklahoma educators are encouraged to submit applications now to attend the state's first Teacher Climate Summit at the National Weather Center in Norman on July 28 ??" 29. The event is hosted by Oklahoma Mesonet, Oklahoma Project Learning Tree and Oklahoma Forestry Services and will provide educators with in depth climate science curriculum and activities to use in their classrooms. This two-day event will feature tours of the National Weather Service offices and presentations from climate science researchers from Oklahoma universities.

???We are excited about the excellent quality of programming for the summit and that it was designed for our region, so it is all relevant to Oklahoma,??? said Oklahoma State Forester George Geissler. ???This is an extraordinary opportunity for our state's educators, and I would encourage anyone teaching secondary climate science to attend.???

National Project Learning Tree and the University of Florida have developed this new secondary education module to help educators teach about climate impacts on forest ecosystems, the role of forests in sequestering carbon, and strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to changing conditions. The complexity and scale of the climate challenges science teachers to accurately convey the data, reveal the assumptions, engage critical-thinking skills, and help students understand why there are various opinions across the American public. This module provides activities and resources to help educators meet these challenges.

While all formal and non-formal Oklahoma educators are invited to apply for the summit, secondary educators who are teaching climate science will be given first priority. Lodging, meals and materials will be provided to attendees. Space is very limited and anyone interested in attending is encouraged to apply today at the Oklahoma Forestry Services website, http://www.forestry.ok.gov/2015-climate-summit or call Jer?? Irby, Oklahoma Forestry Services Education Coordinator, at 405-255-6160.