3º British: Experts committee about Global Warming

What is an “Experts committee”?

A work technique in which a group of students discuss as experts (Each one specialize in some aspect of the issue) an issue in dialogue or conversation with the group. The conversation can be casuak but it has to be rational, without discussions and exhibitions lead away from the topic

Who is involved? In groups (maximum, 6 people), you will have to share the following roles:

• Experts: 3 experts who deal with all aspects of the issue for the group is reported. Experts MUST prepared with anticipation at least 3 accurate and professional resources (graphics, short videos, scientifical articles, etc.) that can support their explanations. Resources have to be well identify (title, author, university, details of publication, etc.)
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• Moderator: Introduce the committee members, organizes time, directs the conversation, introduce clarifying questions. This person must prepare a detailed script and a complete list of potential questions.
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• Journalist. 1 journalist, writting a scientical report for National Geographic, asking the experts all the questions that should be known: what is Global Warming? Why is it dangerous? What can we do for stop it? etc. / on the other hand, 1 denialist blogger trying to create controversy. In both cases, they must prepared with anticipation at least 3 resources that can support their explanations.

All those sources and documents MUST be sent by email on the 11 May to blogeducativo08@gmail.com. The debate will take place on 18 May.

How to do it?

1. How to performance the debate? You are special guests in a university conference ;) The moderator presented to the committee’s members (besides name, some special item you want the public to know about their knowledge of the subject). Asks the first question on the subject.

2. One member of the committee initiates the conversation with his/her colleagues.

3. The moderator has to intervene to ask new questions, if you see that there are aspects that have not been touched or if someone deviates from the topic. The moderator will be encouraged if the dialogue lapses, but without giving his/her opinion. When possible, the moderator also invites the journalists to contribute with his/her questions, ideas or doubts (or stops the blogger if too much controversy or violence).

4. The debate must last 25-30 minutes. After that, the moderator will invite each panel member to briefly summarize their ideas (briefly means one minute only).

As students of 3ºBritish and already veterans on this particular issue, you are expected to performance much greater and elaborated roles, and you will be evaluated accordingly.

Tips and Helps

You can have a look in the following webpages: Worldwatch Institute and also BBC Newsround. And here there is a list of questions that can be done during the debate:

• What is Global Warming?
• What are the causes of Global Warming?
• Does everybody agree with the theory of Global Warming, or is there some kind of controversy? Why?
• In science, what is the difference between “Theory” and “Hypothesis”?
• What is “Carboon footprint”?
• What can WE do?
• What can the Governments do?
• What is the Kyoto Protocol?

Ready? Watch, read… go on!