Site Meter Environmental Talk » Blog Archive » Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?

Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?

by Mark Jabo

smarter_desktop_1024x768.jpg
Global warming? . . . then, why all the long-sleeved shirts?

An article at dailypress.com, a paper in Virginia that has some serious self-esteem problems (why isn’t the paper’s name capitalized?), brings us the heart-warming story of fifth-graders who did their final project on global warming:

Burbank fifth-graders investigate global warming
SPECIAL TO THE DAILY PRESS
May 10, 2007
HAMPTON — The fifth-graders at Paul Burbank Elementary School in Hampton are required to work on an exhibition project as part of the International Baccalaureate program. The subject of the inquiry must be a real-life issue or problem that is local or global and is of sufficient scope and significance to warrant an extended investigation.

Wait, are these kids attending the Sorbonne? What the heck is an “International Baccalaureate program” for fifth-graders? Did they get college credit for changing the light bulbs in their classroom?

The “international” part probably refers to the fact that there’s one Asian kid in the class.

To their credit, the kids “wanted to get different perspectives, so several guest speakers were invited to share their viewpoints.” The case for global warming was presented by “Pat McCormick from Hampton University, who has received numerous awards from NASA and has written more than 430 scientific articles.”

Climate change skeptics were represented by a homeless guy who admits he sometimes gets chills if he doesn’t have enough to drink.

In the end, a good time was had by all as the students “presented the program to the student body and the school community” and “created interactive games and other activities to involve the students and parents.”

One of the more popular games was “Pin the Blame on the Oil Companies” in which students are spun around, blindfolded, and given a nail-gun and a 450-page legal brief and asked to attach it to a variety of cardboard replicas of Halliburton, Mobil and Exxon corporate logos.

Climate change skeptics manned a booth outside the presentation with a petition to force local elementary schools to bring back dodgeball.

, , , , , , , , , ,


Posted in General on May 10th, 2007

Link to this Entry

Recent Posts

Related Posts

  • No related posts

Leave a Reply


About Environmental Talk

Environmental Talk is a blog that attempts to do the impossible . . . which is to have a reasoned and nuanced approach to the science and issues surrounding global warming. At the same time, we are not above taking the occasional potshot at the extremists and posers on both sides of the topic.

As a global warming agnostic, blogger/moderator Mark Jabo attempts to come down squarely on the side of finding humor in what is, too often, a needlessly contentious topic.

Environmental Talk Author(s)
    » Mark-Jabo

NAVIGATE

LINKS

CATEGORIES

TOP COMMENTERS

RECENT COMMENTS

SUBSCRIBE

ARCHIVES

Blogging Flair






beTurtle seal of approval

 

Environment Channel Posts

  • Keeping the Slugs at Bay in Your Urban Garden
    I live in Portland, Oregon, and it is a lovely city. Very lush, with verdant landscapes and plenty of slugs to eat their way through it. I can honestly say that I have never seen so many [...]
  • Know Your Green
    Of course the majority of us want to live a greener lifestyle and have either purchased reading material or DVDs or CDs to learn more about how to change, but what are some of the words that are [...]
  • A New Writer, A New Day
    Wow, this blog has been dormant for quite some time, and oddly, just when being green and sustainable and eco-friendly and zero-emissions and composting and stuff is getting hot. Ew, kind of a bad [...]
  • You Could Eat More Green to help the Environment
    The best way to change for a greener lifestyle is to eat more fruits and vegetables and it's a healthy way for the body, as well. The Environmental Working Group estimates that you can significantly [...]
  • Recycling Beyond Newspapers, Bottles, and Cans
    • Cell Phone, Remotes, and Some Electronic Toys: Find a site to recycle items with rechargeable batteries at Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation. • Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs: Go [...]
  • Celebrate in a More Earth-Conscious Way
    Throw a greener party with some simple steps. Most of these ideas won't cost you any extra dollars and can be found right in your home today. 1. For the Invitations: Make them from paper found [...]
  • Green Living Tips for You and Your Family to Live by
    • Carry Canvas Bags: If you are stick without a canvas or reusable bag when you are doing your shopping, don't double bag and recycle the ones you bring home. • Always Keep and Eye out for [...]
  • Looking for an Eco-Alternative for Fertilizer?
    Turn your own yard leaves in the fall into fertilizer in the summer. Get started these season with these tips. 1. Gather the fallen leaves from your own yard or contact your municipality to [...]
  • Saying So Long to Simplify
    In order to simplify my own life I have scaled down some more and that includes leaving this blog. I started a personal blog for fun called Simple Living Revolution and we'll see where that [...]
  • William Kamkwamba's Windmills
    William Kamkwamba from Kasungu Malawi in Africa did not let the fact that he could not continue his schooling in 2002 stop him from learning. His family was unable to pay the school fees required [...]

 

Hot Off The Press

  • Happy Birthday Hayden Panettiere!
    Hayden Panettiere celebrates her 19th birthday today, August 21. Last year Hayden celebrated by registering to vote, making an appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman and throwing a big [...]
  • Carlos Boozer - what is it that he does?
    Why, how could you ask such a question?   Carlos is part of our US basketball team that is under a very watchful eye after their disaster in the Olympics four years ago when the US took a [...]
  • Would you wear Paris Hilton?
    If you can still remember, Paris Hilton announced last June that she’s teaming up with Dollhouse brand clothing to come up with her own line under the latter’s name. When I learned about [...]
  • Felicity The Desperate Houswife or Eva Hates Kissing
    So, we’ve been having a lot of talk about Felicity lately on the blog. Get ready to hear one more story (I’ll move on to someone else in a minute... I promise!) Felicity recently gave an [...]
  • Take the Mud Run Challenge
    If you’re looking for a fun-filled sporting event involving a muddy obstacle course, then the Get Fit Tulsa Mud Run 2008 can fulfill your quest for an action-packed weekend. This [...]
  • Feeling Inadequate? Join the club!
    Sometimes I just feel so darn inadequate. Today I was speaking with a dear friend who is going through major upheaval in her life. Her faith remains strong, but her heart aches. For more than [...]
  • Look For Less: Black and White Ensemble
    When I think of wearing classic, ultra chic ensembles, I always opt for a basic black or a black and white pair-up. Most of the time, you could never go wrong with it. Basic white and black ensembles [...]
  • Religious offerings diverse in Mount Pleasant community
    On-campus groups are not the only religious options for students. While many religious institutions can be found on campus, there are many others in the Mount Pleasant area. One of the larger [...]
  • tis the season
    no, not THAT season . . . it's MOOSE season - if you hunt with a bow, that is. Our neighbor is all about moose hunting. He goes out with several of his buddies every year - usually gets one in bow [...]
  • [our readers' voice]
    When CMU wastes $20,000 to $40,000 on liberal speakers like Michael Moore, Rushdie, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Wesley Clark and a parade of others, then I see no reason we can't spend some [...]