AN INQUIRY BASED EARTH SCIENCE WORKSHOP FOR SECONDARY EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS IN NEW YORK STATE: ON THE ROAD, IN THE FIELD AND IN THE CLASSROOM

For the past six years the New York State Museum\New York State Geologic Survey have successfully implemented a selective, in-residence, week long, earth science workshop for education professionals in grades 6-12 on the Helderberg Escarpment in eastern New York. The inquiry method utilized involves discussions, laboratory exercises and field trips tailored directed to geologic examples from New York State that meet the criteria for the department of education regents earth science exam, required of all high school students in the state of New York. The program provides earth science educators the opportunity to interact, seek advice, learn and establish contacts with professional geologists to foster a professional resource for the delivery of timely and accurate geologic information. Major topics covered include topographic map production, map interpretation, drainage basins, stream gauging, glacial processes and landforms, plate tectonics, geologic time scale, fossil identification, stratigraphy, mineral resources, radio-active decay and geology of the Catskills Mountains,. Participants come from all geographic regions within the state and are selected on the basis of the strength of their undergraduate geologic course work, teaching experience, and curriculum needs. Participants are eligible for professional development credits or graduate credit if they are pursuing the requisite masters degree. The success of the program and the urging of workshop veterans has lead to an advanced workshop II that focuses on a more field-based examination of the geology of the Eastern Adirondack Mountains and Champlain Valley. An additional field-based workshop III is presently in development. The experiential learning fostered by the workshop has enhanced the goal of the program to develop a community of learners, which in turn transfers their experiences to their own learning community, our hope ultimately is that this will lead to a community that leads in the scientific arena and encourages future earth scientists. The future development of an interactive web site will further our cause and serve as a resource to allow clear communication of information for earth science teachers and maintain relationships established during the workshop.