WHAT IS THE REVOLUTION IN EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION?

Earth and space science education is undergoing a revolution. The revolution involves a major reshaping of the nature and content of Earth and space science education – with an increased emphasis on Earth as a system, expanded use of the Internet and visualization technology and greater opportunities for students to learn through inquiry, exploration and discovery. The revolution also involves major efforts to expand the opportunities for students to learn about Earth and space science at all grade levels. Earth and space science education, long perceived as a minor field of science education, is emerging as a premier exemplar of innovation, quality education and successful science education reform.

This revolution has been years in the making, with the leadership, vision and hard work of a wide range of organizations and individuals. NASA has made major efforts to make readily available its resources of remote-sensed images and other advanced visualizations. The National Science Foundation has funded research and development projects, leading to innovative curriculum, new technologies and professional development. The Coalition for Earth Science Education has enabled collaboration among several science and education organizations to promote reform. And mainstream publishers are beginning to reshape their textbooks and infuse technology into Earth science programs.

The revolution in Earth and space science education is not just an essential transfer of new scientific knowledge, paradigms and tools from the science research community to teachers and students. The revolution is not just an effective and powerful context infusing inquiry and new technologies into science education. At an even deeper and more important level, the revolution in Earth and space science education is essential for our future – an Earth-science literate citizenry is essential to inform political, economic decisions of local, national and global impact.