1. NSF Biocomplexity Project:
Education Projects…
Rob Buirgy, Thompson School District, Loveland, CO

2. The Original Education Vision…
“We will share our approach with students, educators, researchers, and local planners through seminars, workshops, and conferences by use of case studies and comparative network applications.”

3. The Project Description…
Criterion Two- Broader Impacts: Our proposed research has several integrated educational and policy components. In terms of education, three high school teacher workshops will demonstrate the use of web based GIS models to actively engage high school seniors (and their teachers) in Puerto Rico and Colorado in biocomplexity research.

4. The Project Description…
Criterion Two- Broader Impacts: Our proposed research has several integrated educational and policy components. In terms of education, three high school teacher workshops will demonstrate the use of web based GIS models to actively engage high school seniors (and their teachers) in Puerto Rico and Colorado in biocomplexity research.

5. The Project Description…
Criterion Two- Broader Impacts: Our proposed research has several integrated educational and policy components. In terms of education, three high school teacher workshops will demonstrate the use of web based GIS models to actively engage high school seniors (and their teachers) in Puerto Rico and Colorado in biocomplexity research.

6. Education Challenges…
Biocomplexity is a ‘complex’ topic

7. Riverine Productivity
River Continuum
Concept
Flood-Pulse Concept
Riverine Productivity
Model
HEADWATERS
LOWLANDS

8. (downstream condition)
resource supply
Resource condition 1
(upsteam condition)
consumption
resource
loss
Species 1
(upstream
consumer)
consumer-
independent
processing
consumer-dependent
processing
Resource condition 2
(downstream condition)
consumption
Resource loss
Species 2
(downstream
consumer)

9. CPOM Xiphocaris (shredders) FPOM Atya (collectors)
litterfall
CPOM
consumption
Xiphocaris
(shredders)
export
shredder-
independent
processing
shredder-dependent
processing
FPOM
consumption
export
Atya
(collectors)

10. Education Challenges…
Biocomplexity is a ‘complex’ topic
Non-standardized comparisons are difficult

13. Education Challenges…
Biocomplexity is a ‘complex’ topic
Non-standardized comparisons are difficult
Cultural differences are challenging

15. Education Challenges…
Biocomplexity is a ‘complex’ topic
Non-standardized comparisons are difficult
Cultural differences are challenging
Multiple goals are hard to pin down

16. Education Approach… Key Considerations: Accessibility Relevance
Educational
Cultural
Transferability
Feasibility

17. Education Proposal… Deliverables:
1. Description and access to information databases for BT and PR watersheds
2. Standardized template for “State of the Watershed” report (Murphy, USGS)
3. Classroom activities: data collection, GIS projects, virtual tours and field site visits
4. Watershed assessments based on “State of the Watershed” reports for BT and PR
5. Biocomplexity education webpage
6. GIS- and web-based watershed assessment projects
7. Summer workshops to encourage collaboration between BT and PR teachers

18. Education Proposal… Deliverables: 1. Information databases
2. Standardized template
3. Classroom activities
4. Watershed assessments
5. Education webpage
6. Projects
7. Summer workshops

19. Education Proposal… Example … 1. Information databases…
Angie Henn, CSU Graduate Student

20. Education Proposal…
Discussion:
“Teacher Training Modules…”