RealClimate: Calling All Science Teachers

RealClimate, a blog written by experts in climate change sicence, is an unparalleled resource for scientists involved involved with climate change research. They have taken note of the controversy surrounding the attempt to distribute copies of An Inconvenient Truth to science teachers that we covered earlier. They clearly feel that the movie is a valuable educational tool that should be used in the classroom. Calling All Science Teachers:

'An Inconvenient Truth,' the Davis Guggenheim documentary on global warming starring Al Gore's presentation on the subject, provides an accurate, engaging, accessible, thought-provoking and (at times) even humorous introduction to one of the most important scientific issues of our time ( see our review of the movie). In some countries, viewing 'An Inconvenient Truth' has actually become a required part of the science curriculum, and with good justification, we think. Given that the DVD is currently selling for $19.99 through Amazon.com, you'd think that the National Science Teachers' Association ( NSTA) would jump at the chance to quickly get 50,000 free copies quickly into the hands of their members. Yet, when Laurie David, one of the producers of the film, made this offer to NSTA last November, it was summarily turned down on the grounds that the NSTA has a 2001 policy against 'product endorsement' (as if Laurie David were trying to shop some new deodorant to high school science teachers). What in the world is going on here?

They also note that science teachers can get a free copy of the documentary if they act quickly. The first 50,000 teachers to fill out this simple form will receive a free copy of the documentary for use in their classroooms. What a deal.