On Monday night, Dick Whitaker, former meteorologist for the Bureau of Meteorology, The Weather Channel and Sky News Weather and author of books such as The Complete Book of Australian Weather, Understanding Climate Change and Australia’s Natural Disasters explained the current research into Climate Science. Over 150 students, teachers and parents from a variety of schools were able to learn that the six main drivers of global temperature include (1) solar irradiance, (2) Milankovitch cycles, (3) extra terrestrial (meteorite) interaction, (4) continental drift, (5) atmospheric aerosols, and (6) the chemical composition of the atmosphere. Dick shared the current theories about which of these factors were responsible for various notable events of the past including ice ages, species extinction, the medieval warm period, and the current warming since 1980.

Dick concluded the night with a plea for Australians to keep investigating the explanatory and predictive power of science and for that to result in Australians to “trust science”.

Science at Barker is a popular subject and through events like this particular evening, and through classroom teaching we hope to demonstrate how a deeper understating of the science can lead to more informed decisions about a topical and difficult issue.

Over 50 Year 12 students studying Earth and Environmental Science were in attendance from Barker and neighbouring schools, along with a number of Earth and Environmental teachers, as this talk closely aligned with the Year 12 syllabus. It was an excellent opportunity for students to experience a university-style lecture from a renowned expert where they could continue their learning outside the classroom alongside staff, parents and community members.

For access to the PowerPoint from the evening please contact barkerinstitute@barker.nsw.edu.au

Dr Matthew Hill

Dr Matthew Hill is the Director of The Barker Institute with a focus on professional learning, research, and innovation in the school.  He teaches Physics and the new Science Extension course at the School which introduces students to scientific academic research. Matthew's doctorate reflects his passion for science education focussing on Representational Fluency amongst physics students at school and university. He has published in leadership, education, and science journals and been involved in course development and teaching at The University of Sydney and The University of Western Sydney. He has also completed a Graduate Diploma in Divinity at Ridley College in Melbourne.