EXPANDING THE REACH OF ICE CORE SCIENCE IN NEW, INCLUSIVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS AND K-12 TEACHERS THROUGH THE CENTER FOR OLDEST ICE EXPLORATION (COLDEX)

The Center for OLDest Ice EXploration (COLDEX) is a 14-institution, NSF Science and Technology Center (STC) founded in 2021 with the scientific goal to extend the ice core climate record by finding the oldest preserved ice in Antarctica. COLDEX educational programming engages students and educators in ice core research, with the goal to increase the diversity of polar researchers. Here we focus on inclusive teaching methods used in two of our new education programs: 1.) a research experience for undergraduates (REU) program and 2.) a graduate course and in-person workshop for K-12 teachers called “Project Ice”, run in collaboration with the American Meteorological Society (AMS).

The COLDEX REU program ran fully for the first time during summer 2023. The program included research placements for 4-year and 2-year college undergraduates at one of six COLDEX institutions. Students also attended weekly, remote workshops developed using backward design to center curriculum on student learning goals and inclusive cohort development. As part of the workshop series, students refined their research questions and monitored career skills development in scaffolded weekly journaling, participated in peer and near-peer mentoring, and communicated their science through facilitated sessions with diverse audiences. After the REU program, we promote multiple pathways for students to continue participating in COLDEX as polar researchers.

The AMS-COLDEX Project Ice program ran in pilot form during summer 2023, engaging 11 K-12 teachers in COLDEX research. In order to meet the needs of all teacher participants, we employed a combination of two strategies: Flipped Learning (FL) and Project-Based Learning (PBL). Participants interacted with the learning materials in synchronous and asynchronous online learning prior to the workshop. During the in-person workshop, participants engaged in active learning through diverse, hands-on activities and direct interaction with COLDEX scientists. As a final project, teacher participants created group-designed lessons that use inclusive techniques for teaching ice core and paleoclimate science to diverse K-12 student audiences. Ideas presented in group projects along with formal and informal feedback will be used to further develop course content for future Project Ice offerings.