“Student Experiments at Sea” Helping Foster Authentic Inquiry in the Science Classroom

1. “Student Experiments at Sea” Helping Foster Authentic Inquiry in the Science Classroom December 6, 2005 Liz Goehring Joan Carlson Ridge 2000 E&O Coordinator Biology Teacher Penn State University Laguna Hills H.S.

2. What is “scientific literacy”? "... the knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts and processes required for participation in civic and cultural affairs, economic productivity, and personal decision making." • Knowledge base • Skills: • Problem-solving • Data analysis • Communications • Evidence-based reasoning

3. By giving students opportunities to “do science”! How do we help develop scientific literacy in our students?

4. Agenda • SEAS overview (Liz) • Program Goals / Justification • Components of the program • View from the classroom (Joan) • A paradigm shift • What have we learned so far (Liz)

5. SEAS Overview SEAS is an educational program designed to help teach science thru participation in actual scientific research. SEAS uses the excitement of the deep-sea environment to “hook” students. SEAS is intended for middle and high school students throughout the country The SEAS pilot program is funded by NSF and is sponsored by the Ridge2000 research community as part of its outreach effort. SEAS was created by a small team of expert teachers, curriculum developers and scientists.

6. SEAS Goals In response to NSES “Call for Action” and NSF Criterion 2, our goals are : • To help foster authentic student inquiry • To help teach scientific inquiry through modeling and practice • To provide feedback on experimental design and the scientific process • To excite and engage student learners by involving them in deep-sea research

7. Components of SEAS • Inquiry-based, data-oriented curriculum on the deep-sea • “Classroom to Sea” Laboratories • At-sea experiment competition • Student Report Fair • Virtual deep-sea scientific community including students • Teacher professional development • Web Site: http://www.ridge2000.org/SEAS/

8. Data-oriented curriculum on the deep-sea and on the process of scientific inquiry

9. “Classroom to Sea” Laboratory Students learn important concepts about the remote deep-sea environment through hands-on comparison with own environment.

10. At-sea student experiments

11. Student Report Fair • Student Reports due in Spring • Reports reviewed by scientists • Prizes awarded in several categories

12. Virtual deep-sea scientific community At sea In the classroom Through the Web

13. Teacher professional development “Exploring the Mid-Ocean Ridge Environment” • Course features interdisciplinary ridge science topics, curriculum, and inquiry process • Taught by scientist-lecturers and expert teachers • 1 week on-site followed by on-line assignments -> ~2 credits

14. What does this look like in the classroom? The impact of SEASon an Oceanography class atLaguna Hills High School2004-2005

15. Participating in SEAS challenged us to make a paradigm shift in our understanding of science Submitting a proposal for an experiment and working through the data for our final report were instrumental in helping us make this shift.

16. Photosynthesis basis for all life General experimental questions, often not testable There is one ‘correct’ hypothesis in the investigation Writing the proposal helped us make the following transitions: Chemosynthesis drives vent ecosystems Testable research question including a comparison & generating quantitative data Null & alternative hypotheses form the basis of the experiment

17. We were overjoyed to learn that our proposal was accepted! “What is the distribution of tubeworms around a vent?”

18. 1 0 0 9 0 8 0 7 0 6 0 Number of Tubeworms 5 0 4 0 B a s e P l u m e 3 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 6 0 Oxygen Concentration (umol) Some of our data ….

19. Experimental data is clean and trends are obvious. Collected data must align with ‘right answer’. Results lead to a final, complete conclusion. Working with the data for the report helped us make the following transitions: Experimental data is messy and patterns are difficult to discern. Data are reported and then interpreted. Results show trends and lead to many more questions.

20. We experienced many challenges throughout the process as we struggled to: • Write clearly, accurately &concisely. • Collaborate with each other (arguing, compromising, coming to consensus). • Rethink and rewrite our work, repeatedly.

21. But it sure paid off!!

22. What made the paradigm shift in my students possible? • Having a class that did not have to take a CA standards-based test at the end of the year • Teacher workshop including scientists & practice with inquiry curriculum • Encouragement & help through SEAS coordinator & scientists’ feedback • The whole experience

23. Image courtesy of D. Kelley & J. Delaney, U. Wash. What have we learned? • Giving students the opportunity to participate in science is motivating, demanding, & rewarding • Teachers with experience (inquiry, deep-sea) are more successful. Teacher training is important • Classroom materials & access to expertise (scientists) are also very important • The teacher’s passion/commitment is a big part of students’ success • Program is challenging to fit within the academic year.

24. Our next steps… • We are currently exploring the “Classroom to Sea” Lab model as a more accessible way to bring authentic inquiry into the classroom. • We are also looking at ways to bring more of our scientists directly in touch with participating schools. Stay tuned.

25. Image courtesy of D. Kelley & J. Delaney, U. Wash. Many Thanks to … Véronique Robigou Dan Fonari Rich Lutz Tim Shank Costa Vetriani George Luther Kathryn Kelsey Cindy Maldonado Ba Rea Joyce Stark Carolyn Sheild Mellie Lewis Dave Randle Cindy Petersen Joan Carlson Dave Klindeinst Julie Robidart Greg Dick Chris Janzen Don Nuzzio Chuck Fisher Doug Nelson Craig Young Jim Holden Stefan Sievert Melissa Soldevilla Shana Goffredi Charlotte Goddard Andreas Thurnherr Tara Harmer Norm Sleep and … >30 teachers and their students from around the country!