Careers Chart
STUDENT MATERIALSSTUDENT MATERIALSS-1CAREERS CHARTCLIMATE PROJECT Career PathwayIf I worked in , I would study...What questions would I try to answer?Architecturethe design of buildings and structures at varying scales.oWhat materials should be used in the construction of a building?oHow long will the building or structure last?oWhat will the building look like?Agricultural Sciencethe activities that transform the environment for the production of plants and animals for human use.oHow can we make crops drought-resistant?oHow can we make crops more productive?oHow can we grow crops while respecting the environment?Biochemistrythe chemistry of living organisms, primarily in the agriculture and energy sectors.oHow can we make synthetic fertilizer while emitting fewer greenhouse gases? oCan we maintain crop yields without fertilizer?oCan we replace gasoline with biofuels from crops and other biomaterials?City Planningthe processes related to developing land use on a large scale, including infrastructure and air and water usage.oHow will people get electricity?oHow will people get clean water?oHow will people move around?Chemical Engineeringthe development, design, and operation of chemical products and processes.oHow can we make zero-carbon biodegradable plastics? oWhat materials will make good biofuels?oHow can we minimize harmful waste from chemical processes?Civil Engineeringthe design of the built environment, particularly public works projects like roads, highways, dams, and railroads.oHow can we protect coastal cities from sea-level rise and intense storms?oCan we build infrastructure like roads and bridges without concrete?oHow can we improve the electrical grid?
STUDENT MATERIALSSTUDENT MATERIALSS-2CAREERS CHARTCLIMATE PROJECT Career PathwayIf I worked in , I would study...What questions would I try to answer?Constructionthe process of building physical infrastructure such as office buildings, homes, and other large-scale structuresoCan we build stable homes and workplaces without the use of concrete?oWhat materials can we use to create safe, sturdy homes and buildings?Data Sciencelarge sets of data in order to solve complex problems or make predictions about the future.oCan we use data to understand how and why people use energy?oCan tracking climate change effects help us minimize their impact on humans?oWhat role does population size have in carbon emissions?Electrical Engineeringproducts and systems that use electricity and electromagnetism.oCan we make power transmission lines that cause minimal energy loss?oHow can we improve battery storage?oCan automation decrease energy waste?Environmental Engineeringthe use of science and engineering to improve and maintain the health of the environment.oWhat is the relationship between technology and the environment?oHow can humans modify the environment to benefit ecosystems?oTo what extent does pollution contribute to greenhouse gas emissions?Environmental Lawlegal principles, court decisions, and laws that protect natural resources.oHow should societies dispose of their waste?oHow can we ensure future generations inherit a better-quality environment than today’s?oHow can pollution be legally limited or prevented?
STUDENT MATERIALSSTUDENT MATERIALSS-3CAREERS CHARTCLIMATE PROJECT Career PathwayIf I worked in , I would study...What questions would I try to answer?Environmental Sciencethe integration of natural resources in both the physical and biological sciences.oWhat are some ways we can lessen the human impact on the environment?oHow do we make sure we do not exhaust nature’s resources?oWhat appropriate trade-offs need to be made to support both human and environmental needs?Food Scienceproblems in the food system related to chemistry, nutrition, biology, and engineering.oHow can we decrease emissions and still feed more people?oHow can we make food that lasts longer, reducing waste?oCan we find or make substitutes for meat that people will enjoy? Geographic Information Scienceeconomic, environmental, and social phenomena, through data collection and spatial analysis.oHow will shifting climatic zones and local geography shape the world of the future?oWhat areas will experience the worst of sea-level rise, drought, fire, and increased storm intensity?oCan mapping help us use fertilizer more efficiently?International Lawthe laws governing relations between nations, and those of international organizations like the United Nations.oHow can multiple nations work together to achieve common goals?oHow can international agreements foster collaboration?oHow can innovations be shared among nations?Material Sciencehow materials are made and the relationships between material structure and propertiesoWhat materials besides concrete and steel are strong and durable enough to support buildings and roads?oWhat metals could make batteries better and more efficient?
STUDENT MATERIALSSTUDENT MATERIALSS-4CAREERS CHARTCLIMATE PROJECT Career PathwayIf I worked in , I would study...What questions would I try to answer?Mechanical Engineeringpower-generating devices and systems, from car engines to turbines to heating and cooling systems. oHow can we increase the range of electric vehicles? oHow can we make electric heat pumps even more efficient?oWhat engineering problems do we need to solve to make off-shore wind power more feasible?Nuclear Physicsthe centers of atoms and the interactions that hold atoms together.oHow can we harness interactions in atomic nuclei to generate electricity?oWhat substances could be used as fuels for nuclear fusion reactors?Public policylarge-scale problems and the creation and implementation of policies that will address them.oHow can we make electric vehicles more financially accessible?oHow can we address the need for increased public transportation without adding more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere?oHow can we build affordable housing for our community without the use of concrete?oHow can we incentivize our population to switch to renewable energy sources to heat and light their homes?Structural Engineeringscience and math to create solutions to real-world problems related to the built environment.oHow can people be protected from natural hazards and climate change?oHow can humans work in concert with Earth’s natural systems?oWhat materials can provide safety to people and still have a net-zero impact on the climate?
STUDENT MATERIALSSTUDENT MATERIALSS-5CAREERS CHARTCLIMATE PROJECT Career PathwayIf I worked in , I would study...What questions would I try to answer?Teachingthe skills, tools, and opportunities students will need to help them grow into engaged citizens and innovatorsoHow can we encourage future generations to help stop climate change by participating in their local governments or working toward technological innovation?Transportation Planningpolicies governing city and state transportation networks as they intersect with city planning, land use, and energy usage.oHow can we design cities to reduce demands for transportation? oCan we design cities to discourage car use? oHow can we supply public transportation to the people who need it most?