G.E.T. (Geoscience Experiences for Teachers) in the Field

Oklahoma State University, Stillwater OK

Investigators

Abstract

This one-year project led by Oklahoma State University brings together faculty from the Department of Geology, science educators from the School of Teaching and Curriculum Leadership, and eight in-service high school teachers in authentic geosciences experiences focused on Oklahoma's groundwater geochemistry. Non-Earth Science high school teachers from schools serving a large population of Native American and low socio-economic status students will participate in a 10-day program of laboratory and field experiences to expose them to key concepts, scientific questions, and techniques in geochemistry. Because the Earth Sciences are the most under-represented science in Oklahoma high schools, this project aims to equip non-Earth Science teachers with the tools needed to incorporate Earth Science content into their Chemistry, Biology, and Physics classrooms. Evaluation activities will document the extent to which teacher geoscience content knowledge improves and how this improved understanding translates to classroom practice.