2004 Denver Annual Meeting (November 7–10, 2004)

Paper No. 14
Presentation Time: 1:30 PM-5:30 PM

DATASETS, RESEARCHERS, MUSEUMS AND EDUCATORS: USING HIGH END TECHNOLOGY TO BRING AFFORDABLE VISUALIZATION TO THE CLASSROOM


FRIESEN, Benjamin1, CAMPBELL, Karen1, MORIN, Paul2, KIRKBY, Kent3, JENNINGS, Carrie E.4, STRONG, Nikki5, TAL, Michal5, MARR, Jeff1, HAMILTON, Patrick6 and ROE, James6, (1)National Ctr for Earth-surface Dynamics, St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, 2 Third Ave. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414, (2)Department of Geology and Geophysics, Univ of Minnesota, 310 Pillsbury Drive SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455-0219, (3)Geology and Geophysics, Univ of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, (4)Minnesota Geological Survey, Univ of Minnesota, 2642 University Ave, St. Paul, MN 55114, (5)Geology & Geophysics, Univ of Minnesota, 310 Pillsbury Drive SE, Room 108, Minneapolis, MN 55455-0219, (6)Sci Museum of Minnesota, 120 West Kellogg Blvd, St Paul, MN 55102, benjaminfriesen@yahoo.com

The National Center for Earth-surface Dynamics (NCED), an NSF Science and Technology Center, in conjunction with the GeoWall community and partners at the University of Minnesota, has developed a cost-effective, paper-based method to bring high-end technology into classrooms, informal and field-based educational settings. We use existing geoscience data sets, such as NASA satellite data and USGS elevation data, to produce visualizations for formal and informal education settings.

Pre- and in-service K-12 educators at NCED work with practicing K-12 and research staff at NCED and partner institutions to develop materials that promote greater understanding of “source to sink” processes of erosion, transport and deposition. Preliminary research indicates that students respond enthusiastically and gain a greater understanding of surface process science when using these visualizations. In addition to visualizations, activities include lesson plans and background material designed to aid educators working with students at varying educational levels. A website and educator workshops provide ongoing support to educators.