T285 Innovative Geoscience Teacher Professional Development: Design, Implementation, Evaluation

Tuesday, 29 October 2013
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Room 403

PROVIDING EDUCATORS AUTHENTIC SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH INTEGRATION OF RESEARCH CONTENT AND TECHNOLOGY WITH GLOBE TEACHER WORKSHOPS USING AN INTEGRATED MODEL OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Paper number: T285-8
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 2:40 PM – 2:55 PM

Authors

Abstract

There are numerous hands-on science education programs throughout the nation geared towards educators. An international example would be the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) program. GLOBE's vision promotes and supports students, teachers and scientists to collaborate on inquiry-based authentic science investigations of the environment. GLOBE Partners conduct face-to-face Professional Development in more than 110 countries, providing authentic scientific research experience in five investigation areas: atmosphere, earth as a system, hydrology, land cover, and soil. Many benefits are gained by partnering with programs such as GLOBE. Scientists potentially benefit by broader dissemination of their research by providing content enrichment for educators. Educators benefit by gaining understanding in content, becoming more confident in teaching the concept, and increasing their enthusiasm in teaching the concepts addressed.

This session will present an innovative framework for professional development that was implemented at Purdue University, Indiana in July 2013. The professional development incorporated GLOBE protocols with iPad app modules and interactive content sessions from faculty and professionals. By collaborating with the GLOBE program and scientists from various content areas, the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences at Purdue University successfully facilitated a content rich learning experience for educators.