Motivating and Constructing Understanding through Observation and Data Analysis: The S`COOL and MY NASA DATA Projects
Abstract
Inquiry is widely recognized as an effective method for science teaching. Exploration of the local environment lends itself well to this method. However, to foster understanding about the broader global scale of the Earth system, another approach is needed. Here we present two projects that seek to provide motivation and resources for helping K-12 students construct their own understanding of our Earth system. The S`COOL Project, begun in 1997, seeks to motivate students across the entire K-12 spectrum (with a particular focus on upper elementary grades) to learn relevant science basics and how these basics tie in to a larger picture. The project uses a connection to an on-going NASA science investigation, the Clouds and the Earth`s Radiant Energy System (CERES) project, as a powerful motivator. Student cloud observations coordinated with the passage of orbiting satellite instruments provide useful validation information for the CERES science team. The students receive timely feedback, with a simple and direct link to the corresponding piece of satellite data. Finally, students are encouraged to perform data analysis through an on-line database and the provision of simple tools that allow students to look at not only their own familiar observations, but also those from other participants around the world. The project is placed in the context of our efforts to understand the Earth's energy balance, which controls our climate. The MY NASA DATA project, begun in 2004, provides K-12 students (with a particular focus on middle and high school) with direct on-line access to Earth system science data for global inquiry. The project collects over 140 Earth system science parameters from NASA and other government resources through a single, relatively simple, web-based visualization interface. In addition to offering a large number of contributed lesson plans and science projects on specific topics, this website enables students to explore their own inquiry questions to construct understanding of our Earth system. Parameters offered through the interface are specifically selected for relevance to major concepts in Earth system science, and are fairly intuitive so that students can explore them in a self-determined natural progression. Other tools available on the website include a focused Earth science glossary and data documentation to enable student research. Feedback from educators on both projects indicates that students find both the connection to NASA, and the ability to explore real data, very motivating.
- Publication:
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AGU Spring Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- May 2008
- Bibcode:
- 2008AGUSMED24A..06C
- Keywords:
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- 0321 Cloud/radiation interaction;
- 0805 Elementary and secondary education;
- 0815 Informal education;
- 0845 Instructional tools