This morning when I was driving to work and heard a great NPR story about a college student who was going to all kinds of conferences on global warming. She is a real activist. Then some of the things she was saying made it sound like she was at Wash U and lo and behold she was! When I got to school I looked up the story about this Climate Policy Wonk–she might be a good lead for an expert interview.

Today we had the kids write about what they had learned so far.

• What you’ve learned?
• What’s surprised you?
• What should the focus of your segment be (based on what you know so far)?
• What further research do you need?
• Do you have any research that could help another group? (and what are you going to do about it?)

For the most part, they gave thoughtful responses.

We also talked more about academic discourse and that part of continuing the discussion is to answer the questions and address the comments that the blog-readers pose. They needed direct instruction to open the links that others gave them and to respond to those articles. The blog readers have been unbelievably helpful. They have raised thoughtful questions and have been excited to share resources.

Now interviews. I’m getting a bit nervous. We started standardized testing today and we really need the time to get some interviews lined up. I guess we could use in-house specialists, but I would like the kids to get the experience of getting outsiders to be a part of the process. I want them to make those cold calls and figure out how to explain what they need and what they need to do to get the information they need. It takes a lot of planning. I’m hoping that the environmental studies department at Wash U. will be a good resource. I’m not sure if I should call ahead or not. . . probably not. But. . . I just hope it get finished before finals!