TECHNOLOGY-ENHANCED EARTH SCIENCE ACTIVITIES FOR THE G6-12 CLASSROOM

The Rhode Island Technology Enhanced Science (RITES) program is designed to enhance Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education in all middle & high schools in Rhode Island. As part of this NSF-MSP (i.e., mathematics and science partnership) program, we have developed technology-based, guided inquiry investigations in the Earth Sciences that are aligned with national and state science standards. The investigations include activities that explore earthquakes, plate tectonics, seasons, and the formation of clouds—topics that are among the most troublesome for students. The activities utilize computer models, physical models, and probe-ware, and are platform and sensor independent with the goal of making them accessible to multiple school districts.

In addition, two sets of summer short courses for middle and high school teachers were developed (“Shake, Rattle, and Rock” and “Seasons, the Sun, and the Gulf Stream”), which integrate Earth system science content, computer-based technologies, and robust guided inquiry strategies. In these teacher workshops, we were able to employ an earth system science approach, such as the incorporation of oceanic heat transport and climate in the Seasons short course and the construction and the application of an “earthquake machine” to the prediction earthquakes in the Shake short course.