Development and Publication Investigating Earth Systems

ORIGINS National Assessment of Educational Progress AGI Earth Science Content Guidelines: Grades K-12 Standards and Benchmarks National Science Foundation

National Assessment of Educational Progress Regular studies by NAEP and NCES reveal…. –Low levels of achievement in math and science –High percentage of teachers without specialization –Lack of school support for teacher enhancement

Earth Science Content Guidelines: Grades K-12 AGI 1991 –Essential Questions –Key Ideas –Seeking Answers Content Domains –Solid Earth –Water –Air –Ice –Life –Earth in Space

Standards and Benchmarks National Research Council AAAS Project 2061 –Promote depth and understanding in curriculum –Focus on the needs of all students –View reform as systemic change –Emphasize role of inquiry in learning –Contain Earth and Space Science as Separate Content Domain

National Science Foundation Provides funding for: –Standards-based curriculum –Teacher enhancement –Implementation centers Funded AGI to produce: –Investigating Earth Systems (1994) –EarthComm (1995)

Overview: –Nine modules, each six weeks in length –Seven investigations with culminating research project Goals: –Help students learn earth science content –Help students learn how to do inquiry –Motivate students to continue their study of earth science in high school

DEVELOPMENT and TESTING Drafted by university faculty-teacher teams in… Pilot tested by … middle school teachers in … Revised by … in… Field tested by … middle school teachers in … states in the … school year.

Evaluation Results “.” Independent Project Evaluator’s Report

PUBLICATION Publishes only NSF- funded and field tested programs. Supports implementation with teacher workshops, software, and Materials kits. Other IAT Programs:

TEACHER ENHANCEMENT

Additional Outcomes

I MPLEMENTATION

FURTHER INFORMATION It’s About Time TIME American Geological Institute