MAKING THE REVOLUTION IN EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION REAL: A BLUEPRINT FOR CHANGE

Recent adoption of new Science Education Standards in states and school districts across the country has provided an unprecedented opportunity for all students to learn about important Earth, space, and environmental science concepts in grades K-12. However, this opportunity will be short-lived if we in the earth and space science communities do not take the time and invest the energy to help states and school districts integrate earth and space science into their curricula. To accomplish this goal we need to work smarter and more collaboratively than we have ever done before. In June 2001, 65 science educators, scientists, teachers, administrators, policy makers, and business leaders met in Snowmass, Colorado to take advantage of this opportunity by creating a common vision for "standards-based" earth and space science education in the year 2010. Even more importantly, this group drafted the outline of a "Blueprint for Change" that will be used in the public arena and in collaboration with other disciplines, to raise awareness about the importance of earth and space science education for all citizens. Within the earth and space science communities, the "Blueprint" will be used to guide Earth and space science education reform efforts in grades K-12 during the next decade. The Blueprint contains specific goals, recommendations, and strategies for action in the areas of: Teacher Preparation and Professional Development, Curriculum and Materials, Equity and Diversity, Assessment and Evaluation, Public Policy and Systemic Reform, Public and Informal Education, Partnerships and Collaborations, and Technology. We invite you to review the Blueprint for Change, share it with your colleagues and local K-12 educators, and learn how you can work with us to make the revolution "real".