Developing the Next Generation of Geoscientists

The Monitoring Seasons Through Global Learning Communities (Seasons and Biomes), an inquiry- and project- based program, works with K-12 teachers and their students worldwide to increase awareness and understanding of the Earth as a system, and the science process. Seasons and Biomes is one of four GLOBE (Global learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment, www.globe.gov) earth system science projects. Seasons and Biomes engage students in ongoing research investigations as way of learning science. We do this by conducting for teachers, professional development workshops that incorporate science content, best teaching practices (that include inquiry, integrating science with math, language and art, authentic assessments, concept mapping), a model for student scientific research, and an earth system science approach. Teachers learn and practice standardized measurement protocols developed by GLOBE in the following areas of investigations: atmosphere, hydrology, soils, phenology and land cover/biology, as well as those developed by Seasons and Biomes on ice seasonality (freeze-up and break-up of rivers and lakes), active layer/depth of soil freezing (frost tube), mosquitoes (larvae abundance and identification of mosquito vectors for malaria and dengue fever) and plant invasive species. They also learn how to enter data as well as access data on the GLOBE website. Teachers in turn teach and work with their students in doing authentic science, contribute data to ongoing research as well as conduct their own studies. During the workshops we also provide guidance and opportunity for early career scientists to share their research, work with teachers and mentor them as well as to develop measurement protocols pertinent to their research. Similarly we work with GLOBE Alumni, students who were in the GLOBE program when they were in primary and/or secondary schools and have graduated from college, yet are still very much inspired and dedicated to working with teachers and their students in conducting GLOBE activities and investigations. We offer the Seasons and Biomes PD workshops together with classroom implementation as University of Alaska course that teachers take for continuing education credits, for qualifying in core content areas of science or towards a graduate degree. Classes, small groups as well as individual students have conducted investigations and presented them at local, national and international science fairs, symposiums and conferences in addition to contributing observations/measurements to ongoing earth science investigations. Some teachers have also presented their work at national and international conferences. More than 1400 educators and scientists from 50 countries have participated in Seasons and Biomes reaching over 21,000 students. Results of program pre- and post-tests, teacher assessments as well as evidence submitted by teachers on student learning strongly suggest an increase in understanding of earth system science and the science process.