SGER: Effective Models of Science Research Partnerships in the Classroom: Resolving Key Pedagogical Issues

Paleontological Research Institute, Ithaca NY

Investigators

Abstract

ABSTRACT SGER: Effective Models of Science Research Partnerships in the Classroom: Resolving Key Pedagogical Issues PRI (the Paleontological Research Institute) is requesting funding to develop and evaluate "student-scientist partnership" (SSP) resources for fourth through ninth grade student participants in the Devonian Seas Project. Through the proposed activities PRI will contribute a fully evaluated model laying out protocols for effective linkage between Earth science research and pre-college classroom teaching. Age-appropriate materials and an associated project database will be catalogued with the Digital Library for Earth System Education (DLESE). This will greatly increase access to real world data sets while providing DLESE with content usable in tests of new Digital Library protocols. The timing of this award is critical and urgent since PRI has recently acquired corporate support for its "Devonian Seas" classroom outreach SSP. This award will allow PRI to leverage corporate funds to develop and evaluate new SSP materials in the formative stages, one of the major challenges facing SSP development and implementation. Funding will help to establish the Devonian Seas Project as a model that may catalyze change in the way students experience science education.