GEOL 613 Earth Science and the NYC Urban Environment Wayne Powell Brooklyn College

The Context for Course Design Specific Impetus Specific Impetus Part of an NSF-funded project in partnership with the American Museum of Natural HistoryPart of an NSF-funded project in partnership with the American Museum of Natural History Integration of education in formal and non-formal environmentsIntegration of education in formal and non-formal environments

The Context for Course Design Needs of the Project Needs of the Project Integration of museums and other non- formal learning environments into the curriculumIntegration of museums and other non- formal learning environments into the curriculum

The Context for Course Design Specific Programmatic Position Specific Programmatic Position First (and possibly only) Earth Science course taken by teachers… … Introductory courseFirst (and possibly only) Earth Science course taken by teachers… … Introductory course

The Context for Course Design Needs of the Program Needs of the Program No pre-requisite experience in geologyNo pre-requisite experience in geology Leave them wanting more! (Need to build the program)Leave them wanting more! (Need to build the program)

The Context for Course Design Specific Audience Specific Audience In-service teachers with little or no background in geology who are seeking a second certification in Earth Science;In-service teachers with little or no background in geology who are seeking a second certification in Earth Science; In-service elementary school teachers who require additional credits in scienceIn-service elementary school teachers who require additional credits in science

The Context for Course Design Needs of the Audience Needs of the Audience Course must correspond (at least in part) to state defined content areasCourse must correspond (at least in part) to state defined content areas Connect science with literacy and social studiesConnect science with literacy and social studies Allow for quality teaching in schools with insufficient budgetsAllow for quality teaching in schools with insufficient budgets

The Product Earth Science & the NYC Urban Environment Earth Science & the NYC Urban Environment Introduces a broad range of geological concepts (rocks, plate tectonics, erosion, weather)Introduces a broad range of geological concepts (rocks, plate tectonics, erosion, weather) Essential if it is the only course taken Essential if it is the only course taken Puts geological concepts into the context of NYC’s history and developmentPuts geological concepts into the context of NYC’s history and development Essential for elementary school teachers, and provides a common context on which to map new material Essential for elementary school teachers, and provides a common context on which to map new material Substitutes three weeks of classroom meetings for activities in NYC parks and neighborhoodsSubstitutes three weeks of classroom meetings for activities in NYC parks and neighborhoods Essential for fulfillment of NSF proposal and obligations to AMNH; Models use of “free-of-charge” educational materials Essential for fulfillment of NSF proposal and obligations to AMNH; Models use of “free-of-charge” educational materials

The Product Earth Science & the NYC Urban Environment Earth Science & the NYC Urban Environment Designed around four guiding questions: Designed around four guiding questions: Of what is the city built?Of what is the city built? Introduction to minerals and rocks, and their properties through the context of building stone Introduction to minerals and rocks, and their properties through the context of building stone On what is the city built?On what is the city built? More in depth discussions of rocks common in the NYC area, and a discussion of NYC regional geography More in depth discussions of rocks common in the NYC area, and a discussion of NYC regional geography How has the NYC environment changed?How has the NYC environment changed? Introduction to historical geology, plate tectonics, erosion, deposition, and anthropogenic processes in context of NYC Introduction to historical geology, plate tectonics, erosion, deposition, and anthropogenic processes in context of NYC Why did the city develop here?Why did the city develop here? Linking Hudson trade routes and New York Harbor, availability of steel, etc., to geological processes Linking Hudson trade routes and New York Harbor, availability of steel, etc., to geological processes