IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF EARTH SCIENCE EDUCATION USING PALEONTOLOGICAL RESEARCH IN THE GEORGE WASHINGTON JEFFERSON NATIONAL FOREST

This project originated as a paleontological research project to earn a Ph.D. It evolved into an amazing tool for improving the quality of Earth science education while providing valuable scientific data. 30,000 Upper Devonian fossils were collected for the purpose of documenting the variety of taxa, correlating rock units, and establishing regional biozones. The products are a comprehensive data set for describing the Upper Devonian and the geologic/paleontological events that occurred during that time and a detailed look at the third largest extinction event recorded in the history of the Earth. Since the data was collected in the National forests, outcrops were ideal for taking undergraduates, K-12 students, and Earth science teachers on field trips to examine fossils and experience scientific research. 5 graduate students in paleontology, 50 geology majors, 500 undergraduates, and 300 teachers have participated. The most significant groups related to improving Earth science education are the graduate students and teachers. These groups were actively involved with the research and contributed valuable scientific data. More importantly the teachers learned how to do science through real experiences. This enabled them to develop important concepts about geologic time and how paleontological research is conducted. The teachers used these concepts to develop curricula for teaching their students about geologic time and historical geology. The impact is incredible. If you multiply the 300 teachers times 100 students per year, the result is 30,000 students per year. Current estimates are that around 95,000 K-12 students have been exposed to some type of educational product produced from the data and experience related to this project. The biggest impact will likely be from the graduate students who have the potential to do similar things with their students and teachers when they become professors. Having access to the National Forest has been the key to the success of this project.