HR: 09:35h
AN: ED41C-07    [Abstracts]
TI: From Local to EXtreme Environments (FLEXE): Promoting Earth Systems Science Literacy Through Student Inquiry and Real Data
AU: Goehring, E C
EM: exg15@psu.edu
AF: Ridge 2000 Program, Penn State University, 208 Mueller Laboratories, University Park, PA 16802, United States
AU: Carlsen, W
EM: wcarlsen@psu.edu
AF: Center for Science and the Schools, Penn State University, 150 Chambers Bldg., University Park, PA 16802, United States
AU: Larsen, J
EM: jllarsen@globe.gov
AF: The GLOBE Program, 3300 Mitchell Lane, Rm. 2104, Boulder, CO 80301, United States
AU: * Simms, E
EM: esimms@ucsd.edu
AF: Ridge 2000 Program, University of California - San Diego, UCSD/IGPP-0225, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093-0225, United States
AU: Smith, M
EM: mcsmith@ufl.edu
AF: University of Florida, Dept. of Geosciences, 241 Williamson Hall, Box 112120, Gainesville, FL 32611, United States
AB: From Local to EXtreme Environments (FLEXE) is an innovative new project of the GLOBE Program that involves middle and high school students in systematic, facilitated analyses and comparisons of real environmental data. Through FLEXE, students collect and analyze data from various sources, including the multi-year GLOBE database, deep-sea scientific research projects, and direct measurements of the local environment collected by students using GLOBE sampling protocols. Initial FLEXE materials and training have focused on student understanding of energy transfer through components of the Earth system, including a comparison of how local environmental conditions differ from those found at deep-sea hydrothermal vent communities. While the importance of data acquisition, accuracy and replication is emphasized, FLEXE is also uniquely structured to deepen students' understanding of multiple aspects of the process and nature of science, including written communication of results and on-line peer review. Analyses of data are facilitated through structured, web-based interactions and culminating activities with at-sea scientists through an online forum. The project benefits from the involvement of a professional evaluator, and as the model is tested and refined, it may serve as a template for the inclusion of additional "extreme" earth systems. FLEXE is a partnership of the international GLOBE web- based education program and the NSF Ridge 2000 mid-ocean ridge and hydrothermal vent research program, and includes the expertise of the Center for Science and the Schools at Penn State University. International collaborators also include the InterRidge and ChEss international research programs.
UR: http://flexe.psu.edu
DE: 0805 Elementary and secondary education
DE: 0820 Curriculum and laboratory design
DE: 0825 Teaching methods
DE: 0830 Teacher training
DE: 0840 Evaluation and assessment
SC: Education and Human Resources [ED]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting