Using%20Great%20Lakes%20National%20Parks%20for%20Earth%20System%20Science%20Education

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Using Great Lakes National Parks for Earth System
Science Education
William I Rose Bradley Baltensperger Jacqueline
Huntoon
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STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math)
Education is a national (global) problem that is
critically important to Michigan Tech
because 1. Science and engineering research
support comes from public sources, so public
misunderstanding and alienation from science is a
threat to the life blood of the university 2.
Potential graduate students (who do all the work
at MTU) are discouraged from science careers by
poor STEM education 3. STEM people are
critically needed for future of US 4. We are
part of earth and life on earth is increasingly
threatened by mans lack of STEM awareness
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Earth Science in schools

• Ideal venue for infusing inquiry into classroom
• Multitude of real world examples
• Middle grade class
• First full course in science
• Hypothesis middle school earth science is
  pivotal in students science education because
  students perceptions about science are likely to
  be strongly influenced by their first intensive
  course

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Earth Systems ScienceHow the earth works

• Emerging discipline that focuses on real world
  processes
• Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Biosphere, Cryosphere,
  Lithosphere
• Milliseconds to billions of years
• Microns to light years
• Integrates content from many disciplines
• Can be directly observed anywhere!

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Earth Systems Science

• More than any other fieldconnects science and
  math with compelling global problems that affect
  us all
• Demonstrates that quality of life is influenced
  by global phenomena and that science and math are
  critical for real solutions
• Integrated context for science curriculum design
  to address state and national standards
• Provides an interdisciplinary framework for in
  depth investigations and establishes connections
• Provides infinite opportunities to use the
  scientific method by posing questions, developing
  hypotheses, conducting investigations,
  communicating findings
• Is effective for inquiry-based study, even in an
  urban environment
• Provides teachers with opportunities to connect
  instruction to experiences of learners

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Geology in the National Park Service
The parks are full of spectacular geology but the
NPS is dominated by biologists. Problem with
this Geology may be ignored or overlooked in
park management/planning Geological
Interpretation is weak and so is Earth Systems
Science 1995 Geological Resources Division of
USGS established Geologist-in-the-park Program
started Partnerships between parks and
geoscientists encouraged
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We have extensive experience working within the
National Parks for educational efforts
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Abby Sue
Walt
Dan
Ann
Brian
Dave
Kristine
Karena
Brian
Theresa
Bob
Bob
Ellen
Valerie
Steve
Liz
Betsy
Bill
Penny
Marie
Geology in the Parks, KNHP April 2006
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(No Transcript)
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Graduate Class for Earth Science Teacherssummer
2008 Natural Hazards and Human Impact Teaching,
inquiry-based Earth Systems class taught at Field
sites of Keweenaw Peninsula
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Use of field sites in park environmentcouple
with park interpretive activities
Silver I
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Bete Grise
Looking west along the Keweenaw
Manitou I
Everything dips to N!
Sharing of generated interpretive materials via
web
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Dipslopes and antidip slopes, islands of Isle
Royale
N Govt I
Smithwick I
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Lava flows form strong ridges along shorelines,
creating sheltered spots--beaches and harbors.
Great Sand Bay
Eagle Harbor
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Conglomerate
Agate Harbor
Eagle Harbor
Great Sand Bay
Delaware
Lavas
Central
Phoenix
Bete Grise
Sandstone
The Cliff is held up by a great lava flow-the
Greenstone Flow, one of Earths largest known
flows
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Copper Harbor
Bete Gris
Greenstone Flow
Eagle Harbor
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The Greenstone flow makes up the backbone of Isle
Royale, and is a great curiosity to geologists,
who want to learn about its long solidification.
Greenstone Flow
Duncan Bay Narrows
Blake Pt.
Upper ophite pegmatite Lower ophite
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MODIS April 10, 2003
Isle Royale
Rift axis
Keweenaw
Part of the story of Lake Superior was an event
that happened more than 1 billion years ago--the
story of the Mid Continent Rift.
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SeaWifs
Lake Effect Snow from space.
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Planned expansion of activity with earth science
teachers involving Great Lakes Parks.
Crucial potential role of middle school earth
science teachers in building environmental
awareness of everyone and increasing STEM
commitment.
Earth Systems Science How the earth works