AN EARTHTIME PROGRAM TO TEACH THE SCIENCE OF GEOCHRONOLOGY TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS USING A ‘HANDS-ON' APPROACH

Understanding geologic time and how we quantify it is an essential component of science education. As part of the EARTHTIME outreach program we have developed an exercise that teaches students the nuts and bolts of geochronology including conceptualizing radioactive decay and isotope dilution and how to use geochronological results to solve problems in earth history. Our science and technology program brings together university scientists together with high school science teachers and students. The program has three components: (1) Labday: students from local high schools attended a day of workshops, hands on exercises and a discussion of geochronology in university research (2) Labday on the Road: Scientists from universities travel to grade school classrooms and bring with them hands on exercises and discuss issues related to geochronology. (3) A Geochronology Lesson Plan and Kit: A 90-120 minute educational module for high school students to learn about radioactive decay and the dating of rocks has been developed, downloadable at http://www.earth-time.org/Lesson_Plan.pdf. An EARTHTIME geochronology kit, linked to the lesson plan activities is available to K-12 teachers. The kits are currently being tested by teachers who will provide feedback and suggestions for improvement.

For a first order assessment students reported all three programs as a positive experience. Some students had difficulty with more theoretical aspects but appreciated the hands on exercises which made the complex topic easier to understand. Instructors gave positive feedback and planned to integrate the three programs into their class curriculum. In summary, the three programs introduce high school students early in their science education to fundamental concepts behind geochronology, and the integration of physics, chemistry, and geology