HR: 1340h
AN: ED13A-1219
TI: Earth System Science Education Alliance
AU: * Myers, R
EM: bob_myers@worldnet.att.net
AF: Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, 1600 Wilson Blvd., Suite 901, Arlington, VA 22209 United States
AU: Schwerin, T
EM: theresa_schwerin@strategies.org
AF: Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, 1600 Wilson Blvd., Suite 901, Arlington, VA 22209 United States
AB: The Earth System Science Education Alliance (ESSEA) professional development program is providing in- depth geoscience content and teaching methods to pre- and in-service teachers. The program is building and expanding on NASA's successful ESSEA program that was funded from 2000-2005. Beginning in 2006 NSF funding will enable ESSEA will expand to 40 institutions of higher learning that are committed to teacher education in Earth system science. The program will support participating institutions with funding, training, and standards-aligned courses and resources for pre- and in-service teachers. As a result, teachers will be prepared to teach Earth system science using inquiry-based classroom methods, geoscience data and tools. From 1999-2005, the NASA funded ESSEA Program delivered online Earth system science professional development for K-12 teachers through a network of 20 colleges and universities. The program was led by the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) and based on a trio of 16-week online courses (for elementary, middle, and high school teachers) that had been developed and piloted by NASA's Classroom of the Future at Wheeling Jesuit University. The ESSEA program's mission was to: 1) support universities, colleges, and science education organizations delivering the K-12 online graduate courses; 2) strengthen teachers' understanding of Earth system science; 3) demonstrate the ability to deliver exceptional professional development to a national audience; and 4) create a solid infrastructure to sustain the program. As of spring 2006, the courses had been used by 40 faculty at 20 institutions educating over 1,700 k-12 teachers in Earth system science. Although NASA funding ended in late 2005, the courses continue to be offered by 17 of the original 20 institutions. Through NSF funding beginning in late 2006, IGES will enhance and build upon the ESSEA foundation by: 1.Using the ESSEA courses as a model to introduce newly upgraded Earth system science undergraduate and graduate courses; 2. Introducing extensive use of data, models and existing Earth system educational materials to support the courses; 3.Disseminating model teaching practices and program success through annual conferences and presentations at national and regional geoscience and science teacher conferences; and 4.Expanding the base of 17 ESSEA colleges and universities to 40 participating institutions. ESSEA has created a national professional development program aimed at improving the knowledge, skills, and resources of Earth system science educators. This professional development program offers state-of-the- art, online courses to promote understanding of Earth system science, to encourage communication and cooperation among teachers, and to facilitate the use of exceptional classroom materials. Beginning in 2006 IGES will further this vision by expanding the number of institutions offering the courses; updating the courses with additional tools, modules, and resources; and providing continuing support to institutions and faculty teaching middle-high school teachers (pre- and in-service) using the ESSEA courses and instructional resources.
UR: http://www.strategies.org/essea
DE: 0805 Elementary and secondary education
DE: 0825 Teaching methods
DE: 0830 Teacher training
SC: Education and Human Resources [ED]
MN: 2006 Fall Meeting