A climate science education course at the University of Maryland hosted two diamondback terrapin hatchlings to help illustrate the human-accelerated effects of climate change. Assistant Clinical Professor Amy Green, who teaches the course “Decolonizing Climate Change Education: Fostering Inclusivity, Equity, and Holistic Understanding,” spoke with The Diamondback about the impact of this hands-on learning experience.
“It’s one thing to learn about animals in general or turtles or terrapins, kind of in the abstract of the textbook. It’s another thing to see one up close, and hold one, and look at one and have it look at you,” said Green.
The class focuses on how climate science is taught in K-12 schools. This activity not only sparked students' interest and empathy for sustainability and conservation but also highlighted the human-induced consequences directly affecting terrapins.
Green emphasized the importance of contextualizing the effects of global warming for all species. She explained, “Accelerated climate change is affecting all life on this planet, and not just human life.”
