AGI CURRICULA: PREPARING STUDENTS TO BE CRITICAL THINKERS AND SCIENCE LITERATE CITIZENS

The American Geological Institute (AGI) curricula (Investigation Earth Systems and EarthComm) are designed to build student interest and confidence while investigating the geosciences. These curricula make students investigate a problem as a researcher does, looking at all angles, developing hypotheses and tests, drawing upon prior knowledge, using the power of collaborative thinking, and applying and building problem-solving skills. Through an inquiry approach, students learn how to develop researchable questions, design and conduct investigations, collect and analyze data, and share findings.

By modeling methods and approaches of professional scientists, these curricula improve upon didactic approaches towards learning. Students are exposed to Earth science concepts while developing the skills to plan and conduct their own investigations. As a result, students are better prepared to learn and understand core science material and improve their science literacy, one of the major goals of the AAAS Benchmarks and NRC National Science Education Standards. Students also develop higher level cognitive processing skills, developing their capacity to become critical thinkers in all disciplines.

AGI curricula provide descriptive outlines of the inquiry process skills students need to conduct their own research in the geosciences. These skills are developed through scaffolded activities and the presentation of scientific phenomena. Explicit examples from the curricula show the different research skills students develop through the examination of specific Earth science concepts.