To: Michigan State Board of Education

Tell Michigan State Board of Education to Support Climate Science in Schools!

Please support the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for the benefit of Michigan students. Our children deserve the best possible science education, and that includes gaining a foundation in climate science. The NGSS will help Michigan students prepare for the challenges and opportunities they will face throughout their lives.

Why is this important?

When I became a mom, my desire to help create a better world became more personal and urgent. I’ve reflected on the biggest challenges my two sons will face. Doing something about climate change rose to the top of my list. I knew I had to add it to my job description as a responsible parent!

Now that one of my sons has started school, I’ve begun thinking a lot more about what they will be taught about their world, including climate change. So I was heartened to learn that the Michigan State Board of Education is considering adoption of 21st century science standards that include climate science.

The Board is being pressured to reject the new, world-class science standards by climate deniers like Rep. Tom McMillin (R-District 45). Rep. McMillin recently introduced a bill to stop the NGSS from being taught because, as he said, the standards “get into controversial issues such as man-made global warming as fact.”

Keeping our kids in the dark about climate change would be an outrageous and unacceptable disservice to their future.

At a time when impacts like drought, more intense storms, and heat waves have already begun to take a toll on Michigan agriculture and the Great Lakes, it’s more important than ever for Michigan students to gain a strong understanding of the causes and impacts of climate change. This will give them the foundation to identify the solutions we need.

Let’s send the State Board of Education a strong message that we want our kids to have access to the best possible science education to help them address the challenges and opportunities they will face throughout their lives.

If we act today, our children and grandchildren will thank us tomorrow!

Sincerely,

Kate Madigan, mother of two, 
Traverse City, MI

Story on Rep. McMillin anti-NGSS bill: http://ncse.com/news/2013/09/anti-ngss-bill-introduced-michigan-0015053