INCREASING EARTH SCIENCE LITERACY THROUGH COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH AT REGIONAL GEOHERITAGE SITES: THE STORY OF KITCH-ITI-KIPI SPRINGS

Kitch-iti-kipi, also known as The Big Spring, is Michigan’s largest spring located in Palms Book State Park. Groundwater bubbles up from the bottom of the tranquil pool at a rate greater than 10,000 gallons per minute, providing a regular supply of clear water that flows year round. This ‘mirror of heaven’ has been attracting humans and animals to its shore for thousands of years, inspiring awe and wonder in its peaceful beauty, yet most people are unaware of the earth processes that created the unique spring or other karst features in the region.

One method that has been shown to effectively increase knowledge and improve attitudes towards geoscience is to link concepts to local or regional places that invoke interest and provide observable evidence of geologic phenomena. However, many educators involved in K-12 schools, parks and other institutions have little formal background in earth science and are unaware of the presence of local geoheritage examples or are inexperienced in the pedagogical practices needed to integrate these geologically significant places into their curricula or programs.

A study was implemented at Kitch-iti-kipi to understand the effects of engaging K-12 teachers in professional development activities that promote place-based, interdisciplinary investigations at local geoheritage sites. Teachers first engage in a summer field course which includes participation in a long-term study to characterize the geohydrologic processes of the spring. Later, teachers collaborate with geoscience researchers to develop and implement grade level units that engage students in authentic scientific research at Kitch-iti-kipi while addressing their standards-based curriculum. This paper describes the essential components of geoscience teacher professional development programs and the benefits of conducting scientific research in geoheritage sites in collaboration with local educators.