INCORPORATING GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGY INTO THE K-12 CURRICULUM THROUGH TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Geospatial technology is one of the targeted high growth industries in the USA. Job openings are increasing by ~ 13% each year yet there are not enough individuals to fill these positions. Through the OhioView SATELLITES program and the Kent State GK-12 program we have developed a highly innovative earth and atmospheric science institute that utilizes geospatial technology. Specifically we introduce remote sensing, GPS technology, GIS, and terrain analysis as a means to understanding the lithosphere, the atmosphere and the hydrosphere. Our activities are directly aligned with the National and Ohio Science, Mathematics, Geography and Technology Standards. Using Geospatial technology and STEM content our program is designed to foster an understanding of the Earth and its environment, and how man and nature affects that environment.

The teacher institutes are hands-on and inquiry-based. Seven teacher institutes have been offered to date, impacting over 200 teachers in Ohio. In the summer of 2005, we added the new component of graduate students as facilitators and content resources. This significantly increased teacher learning in the institutes. This poster will present an overview of the organization, the activities and the evaluation of the institute, as well as a summary of the follow-through activities that keep teachers engaged for an additional year.