Book Project: Climate Applications for the College Math Classroom

An edited collection of problems & modules for the AMS/MAA Classroom Resource Materials Series 

Climate_book_preview_2024_02_08.pdf

Overview

This edited collection, in development for the AMS/MAA Classroom Resource Materials Series, will provide realistic and easy-to-implement problems and modules that apply core mathematical concepts from, for example, precalculus, college algebra, calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations to problems in climate science. Any undergraduate level of mathematics is appropriate. The purpose of this collection is to lower the barriers to finding and implementing high-quality climate application problems, allowing many mathematics instructors to bring climate-related topics into the classroom.


We seek contributions of classroom material from our professional community. Contributions can take multiple forms, from shorter problems to longer modules, or a combination of the two. Joint authorship is also welcome. We envision attribution for single homework problems will be included in the introduction in aggregate, while each module will be attributed to its respective author(s) where it appears.


The scope of applications can be quite broad, encompassing topics in the series of reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. These include but are not limited to physical changes to the Earth system, the effects on ecosystems and biodiversity, extreme weather, human vulnerability, and supporting sustainable development. 


Click the climate book preview to the left to see excerpts from the book.

How to Contribute Materials

Meet the Editors

St. Mary's University of Texas
khill5 [at] stmarytx [dot] edu

Carleton College
kjmeyer [at] carleton [dot] edu


Brown University
katherine_slyman [at] brown [dot] edu


Upcoming Events

Drop-in consultations: Thursdays 10-11am EST

Are you pondering ideas or questions about how to contribute to the book? We would love to discuss them with you during our weekly meeting. Email kjmeyer [at] carleton [dot] edu for a Zoom link to this meeting or to arrange an alternate time

SIAM Mathematics of Planet Earth Minisymposium: June 12, 2024

Join us at SIAM MPE24 in Portland, Oregon for a minisymposium "Connecting climate to the undergraduate curriculum (Part I and Part II)." Six speakers will share their experiences using climate applications in mathematics classrooms. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to brainstorm their own application problems and strategize around potential challenges to incorporating climate in a math class.

MAA MathFest Workshop: August 7-10, 2024 

Join us in Indianapolis for a workshop "Exploring how climate applications tie to the undergraduate curriculum."  This workshop will provide hands-on experience in applying undergraduate mathematics towards understanding components of Earth’s climate. Students and instructors of all academic backgrounds can investigate Earth’s temperature using algebra, differential equations, or data using scaffolded exercises. New problem development is also an option. Bring your curiosity and leave with exercises to incorporate into your classroom!