HR: 1340h
AN: ED13A-1207
TI: Inspiring Students to be Scientists: Oceanographic Research Journeys of a Middle School Teacher
AU: * Paulishak, E
EM: Bioperson@aol.com
AF: Elaine Paullishak, 1144 Rushbrook Road, Jermyn, PA 18433 United States
AB: I will present my research and educational experiences with two professional development programs in which I practiced scientific research. Real world applications of scientific principles cause science to be less abstract and allow the students to be involved in genuine science in the field. Students view teachers differently as a teacher brings her/his experience and enthusiasm for learning into the classroom environment. Furthermore, by developing activities around those experiences, the teacher may permit the students to have some direct involvement with scientific research. One of the common goals of these programs is for teachers to understand the research process and the science involved with it. My goal is to remain a teacher and use these valuable experiences to inspire my students. My job, after completing the research experience and doing investigations in the field, becomes one of "translator" taking the content and process knowledge and making it understandable and authentic for the advancement of my students. It also becomes one of "mentor" when helping to develop the skills of new teachers. Both of my experiences included seagoing expeditions. The REVEL program was my first experience in the summer of 2000. It gave me an immense opportunity to become part of a research team studying the underwater volcanic environment of the Juan de Fuca Ridge in the Northeast Pacific Ocean. With the ARMADA project (2006), I learned about SONAR as we traveled via NOAA ship along the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. Using examples from both of these highly valuable programs, I will be presenting my ideas about how to prepare teachers for their research experience, how to make the transition from research experience to practical classroom application, and how these experiences play a role in retaining the best science teachers and developing new science teachers for the future. Research programs such as these, furnish me with an added sense of confidence as I facilitate student learning. Both programs also enhance my credibility in the eyes of my students who ask: "Are you a scientist, too?"
UR: http://www.ocean.washington.edu/outreach/revel
DE: 0805 Elementary and secondary education
SC: Education and Human Resources [ED]
MN: 2006 Fall Meeting