Community and Authentic Community and Authentic Experience: CIRES Earthworks Experience: CIRES Earthworks

WorkshopsWorkshops

Tim WestonTim Weston22 (ATLAS) (ATLAS)

Susan BuhrSusan Buhr11, Lesley Smith, Lesley Smith1 1 (CIRES)(CIRES)

University of Colorado, BoulderUniversity of Colorado, Boulder

Our goals for Earthworks Our goals for Earthworks participantsparticipants

To experience authentic scientific To experience authentic scientific inquiryinquiry

To become part of a like-minded To become part of a like-minded community of educators and community of educators and scientistsscientists

To practice new skills and think To practice new skills and think through implementationthrough implementation

What do the teachers do?What do the teachers do?•Identify a question to research

Question can be about any field-science topic

Learn field methods

Conduct project as adult learners

Build community and collaboration opportunities

Teach skills to others

Plan implementation

“The Mud People” hydrology group presents

their groundwater study methods

What do the scientists do?What do the scientists do? Develop field methods suitable Develop field methods suitable for classroom implementation.for classroom implementation.

Work with teachers in conducting Work with teachers in conducting a research project.a research project.

Some give evening presentationsSome give evening presentations

Provide support during Provide support during implementation.implementation.

Dr. Joyce Gelhorn leads discussion on a burn site study.

Participant DeliverablesParticipant DeliverablesFor all:For all: Experimental PlanExperimental Plan Electronic copy of data and coordinatesElectronic copy of data and coordinates Group presentation Group presentation Summary report Summary report Implementation Plan: IndividualImplementation Plan: Individual

For those taking three credits:For those taking three credits: More detailed Implementation PlanMore detailed Implementation Plan Report/outcomes by end of school yearReport/outcomes by end of school year

Recent evaluation studiesRecent evaluation studies

Interviews and SurveyInterviews and Survey Goals to learn about:Goals to learn about:

Benefits of Earthworks Benefits of Earthworks participationparticipation

How teaching practices How teaching practices changedchanged

How other professional How other professional activities changedactivities changed

Recommendations for Recommendations for improvementimprovement

“Students spend more time inquiring into the health of

local wetlands from the bottom up and the top

down (bedrock to topsoil and clouds to puddles)…By looking into the whole

system, students (and parents, and teacher) get a

better understanding of how it all works together.”

[2007 Presidential Award Winner in Science Teaching]

Study participantsStudy participants Interviews: Nine past participants and fifteen Interviews: Nine past participants and fifteen

new participantsnew participants Survey: 39% response rate so far of 167 Survey: 39% response rate so far of 167

teachers from 37 states.teachers from 37 states. 51% high school, 41% middle school, 7% 51% high school, 41% middle school, 7%

elementaryelementary More females (63%) than males (37%)More females (63%) than males (37%) Caucasian (89%), Hispanic (4%), African Caucasian (89%), Hispanic (4%), African

American (2%)American (2%) Note: Many teach in challenging contextsNote: Many teach in challenging contexts

““The Defining Feature: Extensive The Defining Feature: Extensive Work with Scientists”Work with Scientists”

“Earthworks really allowed me to see

how science is done in the field. It was absolutely beneficial to work with scientists and have discussions about science that happens outside

of my classroom.”The ecology group discusses potential sampling schemes

Importance of CommunityImportance of Community

Working with like-Working with like-minded teachers is minded teachers is important to allimportant to all

Many reported Many reported feeling isolated feeling isolated because of their because of their use of inquiry-use of inquiry-based science.based science.

“There’s really a strong sense of community at

Earthworks that makes it a lot more comfortable to go back and try some of the new activities. It’s

really good to know others are out there you can talk

with.”

Benefits of ParticipationBenefits of Participation

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Like-minded teachers

Authentic science

Work with scientists

Grant writing Lesson Plans Communicate w/ Scientists

Did not help

Helped Somewhat

Helped Great Deal

Changes to Teaching PracticesChanges to Teaching Practices

“I learned to let the students have more

control and be more active in their learning. Knowing what

is a ‘good’ question that

can be researchable”

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Inquiry-based teaching

Students go outside to do

science

Students gather data

Students analyze data

Not at allSomewhatExtensively

Changes to professional activitiesChanges to professional activities

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Communicate w/ Scientists

Curriculum committees

Conferences Grant proposals

“I’ve attended many workshops-too

numerous to mention. Earthworks gave me the confidence to go

for what I want…quality education for

my student and ME. I also have started a

Masters in Geoscience.”

““How likely to participate in…?”How likely to participate in…?”

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Archived listserve

Threaded discussion

Resource repository

Swiki/wiki List of links Phone coach Phone group

Not likely

Somewhat likely

Very Likely

ConclusionsConclusions Earthworks succeeds at providing authentic Earthworks succeeds at providing authentic

science experience in a supportive community.science experience in a supportive community. Teachers experience gains in inquiry-based Teachers experience gains in inquiry-based

teaching practicesteaching practices Teachers grow as leadersTeachers grow as leaders Teachers increase their ability to access Teachers increase their ability to access

resourcesresources Teachers more likely to participate in Teachers more likely to participate in

technology-mediated support mechanisms.technology-mediated support mechanisms.

Contact: Susan Buhr Contact: Susan Buhr susan.buhr@colorado.edu http://cires.colorado.edu/education/k12/earthworkshttp://cires.colorado.edu/education/k12/earthworks

Thanks go to NASA, EPA, U. of Colorado and CIRES for Thanks go to NASA, EPA, U. of Colorado and CIRES for past support of Earthworkspast support of Earthworks

2007 Earthworks