USING SYSTEMIC EFFORTS HORIZONTALLY AND VERTICALLY TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBILITY AND OPPORTUNITY IN GEOSCIENCE EDUCATION

We are making learning more meaningful, inspiring, and inclusive for students with a variety of disabilities. Wright State Geosciences participation with Creating Laboratory Access for Science Students (CLASS Project, 2000-05) provided the foundation for developing inclusive universal design and project based learning (PBL). This led to engaging urban HS students, taking them to collect shark teeth, engaging pre- and in-service teachers in geosciences, and making field camp accessible for geology majors impeded by mobility.

Universal design activities were integrated with EarthComm to teach Earth Science at TC Williams HS in Project SHARE (Science History and Reading Education). Students worked in groups or pairs to solve problems and complete projects. Passing rates on the Earth Science end of year exam increased from: ESL 17 to 60%; “At Risk” from 70 to 75%; and Special Needs from 50 to 85%. At least 98% of the students graduated and 50% are in a STEM field.

The positive results inspired the implementation of PBL and universal design activities into the curriculum for improving teacher quality at USF Polytechnic to prepare 180 middle and elementary school science teachers. The CLASS and SHARE projects were combined and modified to include a higher focus on PBL creating the ASAP Program (Accelerated STEM Academic Pipeline, funded by the Helios Foundation). The local school system moved Earth Science to 8^th Grade, where many teachers had little or no geoscience background. Fifty teachers participated in a graduate program through USF in which they received intensive Earth science content understanding.

Environmental Science, Earth Science, and Earth and Space Science Engineering have been added to the curriculum at Keystone Prep HS (2015-17), a school that serves students with a variety learning issues and disabilities. These efforts are ongoing and systemic since they are now imbedded in University and high school academic programs.