The Ocean as a Teacher: Bringing the Argo Array into the Classroom
Abstract
The fleet of robotic ocean profilers known as the Argo array has revolutionized global marine observations with nearly 4000 floats in the deep and polar regions. This next-generation observing system has significant societal value in gathering data that provides unprecedented insights into our ever-changing oceans. The Argo program's freely available data and technology are ideal as teaching tools and supplemental curriculum for physical science in secondary education.
This past summer, Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego connected two observational projects to routine secondary science education by partnering with NSF-supported educators who teach high school chemistry and physics. In one of the projects, the Argo program is being incorporated across several relevant class topics that include stand-alone lessons. The lesson plans are focused on increasing the environmental conscience of students while promoting climate literacy through experiential learning with real-time data and research. Subsequent iterative improvements in the lessons will be coordinated with colleagues both nationally and internationally, specifically in France and the Republic of South Africa. This is the first year of this ambitious project which aims to improve both its implementation strategies and content over several school years. Southern California and the Gulf Coast are the first geographic focus areas, and the educational materials will reflect regional phenomena and associated societal impacts. The NGSS-compliant curriculum will eventually be shared with the educational community once it is sufficiently mature. NSF supports this work through the Science Teacher and Researcher (STAR) program which directly addresses STEM teacher recruitment and retention crisis by creating a dual "teacher-researcher" role, immersing teachers in cutting-edge research environments. This program will leverage existing federal investments to impart scientific literacy to citizens at every stage of their careers.- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2022
- Bibcode:
- 2022AGUFMED45C0618D