1. EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE EDUCATION THROUGH THE EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE EDUCATION ALLIANCE
Michael R. Witiw
Eleanor W. Close
Seattle Pacific University
Robert J. Myers
Institute for Global Environmental Strategies

3. ESSEA 2009 40 + university consortium
Funded institutions offer ESSEA courses for in-service middle and high school teachers
Courses are module-based and included content and pedagogy
Courses may be entirely online or hybrid online/on-site

5. NSF Geo Teach Program
Improve the quality of geoscience instruction - primarily middle and high school
Provide teachers with easy access to high-quality curricular materials and current science
Implement pre-service teacher training and in-service professional development programs designed to enhance students' understanding of and appreciation for the importance of the geosciences

6. NASA ESTCP Endeavor Science Teacher Certificate Project (ESTCP)
New NASA – sponsored program
ESSEA courses count toward certificate

7. ESSEA Course Format Example: for a 16-week, 5 quarter-credit course
3-week introduction/orientation module
Four 3-week scenario-based modules
Final assignment week

8. Orientation Module Cycle A
Learn about the Earth system science approach through assigned readings and a tutorial
Become acquainted with classmates and form teams
Cycle B
Learn to analyze an environmental event from Earth system science standpoint using Problem-Based Learning (PBL) model
Cycle C
Reflect on PBL as learner
Consider what an instructor does to prepare a PBL module
Develop list of criteria for excellent PBL lessons

9. ESSEA Scenario-based Module
Cycle A (one week)
Explore prior knowledge and develop problem statement
Cycle B (one week)
Gather information and build an Earth system model
Cycle C (one week)
Develop a lesson plan

10. ESSEA at SPU
Seattle Pacific University offered in-service courses for middle and high school teachers during the academic year and in summer 2008
Five-credit course winter-spring 2008
Three-credit course summer 2008
Next course – three credits early summer 2009

11. Scenario-based Modules at SPU
Global climate change
Brazilian deforestation
Mt. Pinatubo
Earth system science data and analysis
Stratospheric ozone
Living things

12. Sample Lesson Plans Global Climate Change Brazilian Deforestation
How does climate change locally affect Earth system interactions?
Brazilian Deforestation
How does deforestation affect Earth system interactions?
Living Things
How is salmon life cycle is affected by events in habitat?

13. Teacher comments
…thrilled with how much thinking the students were doing
…all the students were engaged
…all the students could authentically contribute

14. Recruiting for ESSEA Presentations at local schools
s to teachers and science chairs
Washington Science Teachers association

15. Contact us: Mike Witiw (witiwm@spu.edu) Eleanor Close (closee@spu.edu)
Bob Myers