NSF Biocomplexity Project:

Education Projects…

Rob Buirgy, Thompson School District, Loveland, CO

The Original Education Vision…

“We will share our approach with students, educators, researchers, and

local planners through seminars, workshops, and conferences by use of case studies and comparative network

applications.”

The Project Description…

• Criterion Two- Broader Impacts: Our proposed research has several integrated educational and policy components. In terms of education, three high school teacher workshops will demonstrate the use of web based GIS models to actively engage high school seniors (and their teachers) in Puerto Rico and Colorado in biocomplexity research.

• Criterion Two- Broader Impacts: Our proposed research has several integrated educational and policy components. In terms of education, three high school teacher workshops will demonstrate the use of web based GIS models to actively engage high school seniors (and their teachers) in Puerto Rico and Colorado in biocomplexity research.

The Project Description…

• Criterion Two- Broader Impacts: Our proposed research has several integrated educational and policy components. In terms of education, three high school teacher workshops will demonstrate the use of web based GIS models to actively engage high school seniors (and their teachers) in Puerto Rico and Colorado in biocomplexity research.

The Project Description…

Education Challenges…

• Biocomplexity is a ‘complex’ topic

HEADWATERS LOWLANDS

River ContinuumConcept

Flood-Pulse Concept

Riverine ProductivityModel

Resource condition 1(upsteam condition)

Resource condition 2(downstream condition)

Species 1(upstreamconsumer)

Species 2(downstream

consumer)

resource supply

resource loss

Resource loss

consumption

consumption

consumer-dependentprocessing

consumer-independentprocessing

CPOM

FPOM

Xiphocaris(shredders)

Atya(collectors)

litterfall

export

export

consumption

consumption

shredder-dependentprocessing

shredder-independentprocessing

Education Challenges…

• Biocomplexity is a ‘complex’ topic

• Non-standardized comparisons are difficult

GreeleyGreeleyLovelandLoveland

WindsorWindsor

MillikenBerthoudBerthoud

Estes Park

JohnstownJohnstown

Estes Park

Milliken

Fort CollinsFort Collins

South Platte

Rive

r

Big Thompson River

Little Thompson River

Buckhorn Creek

Attachment ABig Thompson Watershed ForumGeographical Boundary

Forum's Geographical BoundaryMajor CitiesHorsetooth ReservoirMajor Flowing Waters

Legend

10 0 10 Miles

N

HorsetoothReservoir

Alva B. Adams Tunnel

One inch equals nine miles.

Education Challenges…

• Biocomplexity is a ‘complex’ topic

• Non-standardized comparisons are difficult

• Cultural differences are challenging

Education Challenges…

• Biocomplexity is a ‘complex’ topic

• Non-standardized comparisons are difficult

• Cultural differences are challenging

• Multiple goals are hard to pin down

Education Approach…

• Key Considerations:–Accessibility

–Relevance»Educational»Cultural

–Transferability

–Feasibility

Education Proposal…

• Deliverables:– 1. Description and access to information databases

for BT and PR watersheds– 2. Standardized template for “State of the Watershed”

report (Murphy, USGS)– 3. Classroom activities: data collection, GIS projects,

virtual tours and field site visits– 4. Watershed assessments based on “State of the

Watershed” reports for BT and PR– 5. Biocomplexity education webpage– 6. GIS- and web-based watershed assessment

projects– 7. Summer workshops to encourage collaboration

between BT and PR teachers

Education Proposal…

• Deliverables:– 1. Information databases – 2. Standardized template – 3. Classroom activities– 4. Watershed assessments – 5. Education webpage– 6. Projects– 7. Summer workshops

Education Proposal…

• Example …– 1. Information databases…

Angie Henn, CSU Graduate Student

Education Proposal…

• Discussion:

“Teacher Training Modules…”