EARTH SCIENCE FOR URBAN PRE-EDUCATION STUDENTS

We have designed an earth science course for pre-education majors focused on the needs of urban education. The course, which is hands on and community based, integrates the broad earth science topics outlined in the National Science Education Standards and also provides a solid background to the earth systems within the Milwaukee area. One comprehensive field activity involves collecting sand samples on the Lake Michigan shoreline that relates to the origin of the local beach material, and collecting weather data that integrates local weather information with broader climatic conditions. A "geologic" field trip to downtown Milwaukee looks at the built environment, with the intent of connecting the use of geologic materials to the students daily lives as well as showing large-scale rock samples. These field trips are augmented with virtual field trips via the class web page, which allows for both pre and post trip activities. The Lake Michigan virtual trip is the end product of a course for secondary science teachers funded through a PK-12 grant. The city tour is the result of a curriculum improvement grant through UWM.

Innovative classroom support is being provided by a Milwaukee Public School teacher, who is assigned to the classroom through a Title II Partnership grant with UWM and MPS. The MPS teacher assists with laboratory activities, provides a reality check for what is taught, reinforces the importance of the content, manages the web-based communications, and reads the journals. We are also working together to incorporate newer classroom technology such as building web pages, and using digital cameras for student assignments.