HR: 1340h
AN: H13A-0956    [Abstracts]
TI: WATERS – Integrating Science and Education Through the Development of an Education & Outreach Program that Engages Scientists, Students and Citizens
AU: * Eschenbach, E A
EM: Beth.Eschenbach@humboldt.edu
AF: Humboldt State University, 1 Harpst Street Environmental Resources Engineering, Arcata, CA 95521,
AU: Conklin, M H
EM: mconklin@ucmerced.edu
AF: University of California Merced, School of Engineering 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, CA 95343,
AB: The need to train students in hydrologic science and environmental engineering is well established. Likewise, the public requires a raised awareness of the seriousness of water quality and availability problems. The WATERS Network (WATer and Environmental Research Systems Network ) has the potential to significantly change the way students, researchers, citizens, policy makers and industry members learn about environmental problems and solutions regarding water quality, quantity and distribution. This potential can be met if the efforts of water scientists, computer scientists, and educators are integrated appropriately. Successful pilot projects have found that cyberinfrastructure for education and outreach needs to be developed in parallel with research related cyberinfrastructure. We propose further integration of research, education and outreach activities. Through the use of technology that connects students, faculty, researchers, policy makers and others, WATERS Network can provide learning opportunities and teaching efficiencies that can revolutionize environmental science and engineering education. However, there are a plethora of existing environmental science and engineering educational programs. In this environment, WATERS can make a greater impact through careful selection of activities that build upon its unique strengths, that have high potential for engaging the members, and that meet identified needs: (i) modernizing curricula and pedagogy (ii) integrating science and education, (iii) sustainable professional development, and (iv) training the next generation of interdisciplinary water and social scientists and environmental engineers. National and observatory-based education facilities would establish the physical infrastructure necessary to coordinate education and outreach activities. Each observatory would partner with local educators and citizens to develop activities congruent with the scientific mission of the observatory. An unprecedented opportunity exists for educational research of both formal and informal environmental science and engineering education in order to understand how the Network can be efficiently used to create effective technology-based learning environments for all participants.
UR: http://www.watersnet.org/
DE: 0805 Elementary and secondary education
DE: 0810 Post-secondary education
DE: 0815 Informal education
DE: 0830 Teacher training
DE: 0845 Instructional tools
SC: Hydrology [H]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting