PLACE-BASED EXPLORATION OF BASIC GEOLOGIC PRINCIPLES FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS IN SOUTHEASTERN TENNESSEE

In June 2004, the authors conducted a 10-day workshop emphasizing their southern Appalachian geologic setting and state science education standards. Nineteen middle-school teachers from 3 counties in southeast Tennessee participated. The workshop addressed a need for professional development due to No Child Left Behind legislation and recent adjustments to county science education standards. The workshop was scheduled to avoid conflict with other workshops. Participants were provided stipends, lunch, teaching materials (rock and mineral specimens, mineral test implements, maps, posters, Silly Putty, etc.), field-trip transportation, and parking permits, all of which were funded by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. This grant also provided salaries for workshop staff. UTC provided teaching facilities and tuition waivers (2 credit hours). These provisions, coupled with an aggressive promotion campaign that included direct contact with county education administrators, and both public and private schools in the area, probably contributed to near perfect attendance.

The workshop consisted of lectures, discussions, and developmentally appropriate classroom activities that focused on the planet, plate tectonics, southeastern earthquakes, Earth’s interior, minerals, rocks, volcanoes, southern Appalachian tectonics, and related concepts. For the duration of the workshop, participants also researched volcanic hazards of Mount Rainier and Yellowstone as a problem-based learning exercise and presented their results. Field trips to the Chattanooga area and the western and central Blue Ridge (Ocoee to Chunky Gal) were particularly well received.

Workshop products, including large-format posters and classroom activities, were provided to participants and are freely available from the workshop web site (http://www.utc.edu/Faculty/Jonathan-Mies/wkshop/wkshop.html).

As indicated by participants' performances on pre- and post-tests, the workshop provided an improved knowledge of Earth science and regional geology. Mean test scores improved significantly from 70 to 78 (t=-2.95, p=0.0089, n=18). It is apparent that participants also gained enthusiasm for the subject and learned of additional activities to employ in their classrooms.