BUILDING K-12 SUPPORTING RESOURCES FOR DIGITAL MEDIA THAT EXAMINE STANDARDS-BASED CONTENT ON WEATHERING, EROSION, TRANSPORTATION, AND DEPOSITION AT PROVIDENCE CANYON STATE PARK, SOUTHWEST GA

This study develops supporting materials that enable K-12 science educators to utilize digital resources to explore the geomorphology of Georgia’s Providence Canyon State Park (PCSP) that address K-12 science content standards. Landforms and associated processes at PCSP relate to Georgia’s and Connecticut’s middle school science standards that involve the scientific view of how the earth’s surface formed. In fact, PCSP is specifically mentioned in Georgia’s education framework as part of the human impact unit, and the site exemplifies many concepts in the middle school weathering and erosion units for both states’ content standards.

PCSP provides spectacular examples of landforms related to weathering, erosion, transportation, and deposition. This is due to the erosion of weakly cemented Cretaceous Providence sands by concentrated runoff, piping, and undercutting that followed land clearing in the early 1800s. Eroded sediments from 50 meter high headwalls are transported down valley by slope and river processes creating associated talus and fluvial landforms. Also, associated deposition has created thick beds of eroded sediment, making this site an ideal location for field trips. However, due to its remote location and possible safety concerns, it is not practical for many classes to visit PCSP in person.

To capitalize on the educational value of the site, researchers at Eastern Connecticut State University have constructed interactive multimedia resources that highlight the geology of the park. This includes panoramas, fish-eyes, videos, and other media that will illustrate the ways in which erosion and deposition have shaped the land. Supporting resources described in this poster provide background for teachers utilizing these digital media. This includes an illustrated glossary with links to interactive images, historical context for landscape change, landform identification activities, and video reviews. In addition, there are guides to using virtual sediment cores to understand how sediment deposits at the site reveal landform development.