Community and Authentic Experience: CIRES Earthworks Workshops Tim Weston 2 (ATLAS) Susan Buhr 1, Lesley Smith 1 (CIRES) Susan Buhr 1, Lesley Smith 1 (CIRES) University of Colorado, Boulder

Our goals for Earthworks participants To experience authentic scientific inquiry To experience authentic scientific inquiry To become part of a like-minded community of educators and scientists To become part of a like-minded community of educators and scientists To practice new skills and think through implementation To practice new skills and think through implementation

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? Develop field methods suitable for classroom implementation. Develop field methods suitable for classroom implementation. Work with teachers in conducting a research project. Work with teachers in conducting a research project. Some give evening presentations Some give evening presentations Provide support during implementation. Provide support during implementation. Dr. Joyce Gelhorn leads discussion on a burn site study.

Participant Deliverables For all: Experimental Plan Experimental Plan Electronic copy of data and coordinates Electronic copy of data and coordinates Group presentation Group presentation Summary report Summary report Implementation Plan: Individual Implementation Plan: Individual For those taking three credits: More detailed Implementation Plan More detailed Implementation Plan Report/outcomes by end of school year Report/outcomes by end of school year

Recent evaluation studies Interviews and Survey Interviews and Survey Goals to learn about: Goals to learn about: Benefits of Earthworks participation Benefits of Earthworks participation How teaching practices changed How teaching practices changed How other professional activities changed How other professional activities changed Recommendations for improvement Recommendations for improvement “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 participants Interviews: Nine past participants and fifteen new participants Interviews: Nine past participants and fifteen new participants Survey: 39% response rate so far of 167 teachers from 37 states. Survey: 39% response rate so far of 167 teachers from 37 states. 51% high school, 41% middle school, 7% elementary 51% high school, 41% middle school, 7% elementary More females (63%) than males (37%) More females (63%) than males (37%) Caucasian (89%), Hispanic (4%), African American (2%) Caucasian (89%), Hispanic (4%), African American (2%) Note: Many teach in challenging contexts Note: Many teach in challenging contexts

“The Defining Feature: Extensive 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 Community Working with like-minded teachers is important to all Working with like-minded teachers is important to all Many reported feeling isolated because of their use of inquiry-based science. Many reported feeling isolated because of their use of inquiry-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 Participation

Changes 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”

Changes to professional activities “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…?”

Conclusions Earthworks succeeds at providing authentic science experience in a supportive community. Earthworks succeeds at providing authentic science experience in a supportive community. Teachers experience gains in inquiry-based teaching practices Teachers experience gains in inquiry-based teaching practices Teachers grow as leaders Teachers grow as leaders Teachers increase their ability to access resources Teachers increase their ability to access resources Teachers more likely to participate in technology-mediated support mechanisms. Teachers more likely to participate in technology-mediated support mechanisms.

Contact: Susan Buhr Contact: Susan Buhr Thanks go to NASA, EPA, U. of Colorado and CIRES for past support of Earthworks Thanks go to NASA, EPA, U. of Colorado and CIRES for past support of Earthworks 2007 Earthworks