A New Dimension to the eGY: Connecting the Virtual Observatories to Teachers Worldwide Emily CoBabe-Ammann University of Colorado

The Importance of Science Education to the eGY Vision Why include Education in eGY? Open access to data only means something if there is a framework within which it can be understood. Open access to data only means something if there is a framework within which it can be understood. With much of our ground-based monitoring stations in the developing world, increasing science and technology proficiency in those countries is both a moral and practical imperative. With much of our ground-based monitoring stations in the developing world, increasing science and technology proficiency in those countries is both a moral and practical imperative. Technological advances makes the building of virtual educational communities a real possibility. Technological advances makes the building of virtual educational communities a real possibility.

eGY Education and Outreach: Connecting Teachers to the Virtual Observatories  Virtual Solar Observatory  EdGCM We will start by covering the intellectual breadth of the I*Ys and their Geoscience focus and move from there…

Not Just About the Data…. Our goal is make a connection for teachers and students between their backyard and the world… Inquiry-based lessons Tutorials, Primers, & Other Teacher Support Computer-Based Animations, Interactive, & Resources Web-Streamed Science & Education Talks

Connecting It All Together… What are the Architectural Barriers? We hope to work with the VOs to develop, through the eGY portal, a way for teachers (and the general public) to access data in a constrained and contextual way.  Each Virtual Observatory has its own structure for interfacing with the outside world – Both in terms of how users defined their requests and how products are delivered  Very few of the VOs have an interface that allows ready access for the general public (including teachers)

Connecting to the Teachers: The Real Trick!  Science context of the VOs and Models  Using the VOs and Models  Basics of Virtual Communities  Navigating the Portal  Modeling Lessons  Best Teaching Practices Teacher Training is Key for Full Value Formats will vary, depending on opportunities….

Connecting to the Teachers: Technology as a Tool  Technology is transforming how we build Virtual Education Communities  New possibilities in both synchronous and asynchronous applications are opening doors to a larger audience  Faster networks internationally are facilitating the explosion in possibilities. International Teacher Workshops will be done virtually, using trained Master Teachers and the newest technology to bring state-of-the-art science education to teachers around the world.

Connecting to the Teachers: An International Campaign 50 Pairs of Master Teachers Hour Workshops With 20 Teachers each 3000 Science Teachers Around the World The eGY Ripple  Portal will be available in 6 languages (English, Spanish, French, Mandarin, Japanese, and Swahili) with both low- and high-bandwidth options  Although the workshops will be given in English, they will be followed up with on-line support in the supported languages from eGY Central.

What Happens after eGY? Sustainability for the Future  Portal continues after the eGY finishes.  VOs with new content area will continue to be added.  The Portal architecture will continue to evolve, taking advantage of new technologies and information management models. Downstream migration into an ongoing program?