Development and Publication

Investigating Earth Systems

ORIGINS

• National Assessment of Educational Progress

• AGI Earth Science Content Guidelines: Grades K-12

• Standards and Benchmarks

• National Science Foundation

National Assessment of Educational Progress

• Regular studies by NAEP and NCES reveal…. – Low levels of achievement in math and science– High percentage of teachers without

specialization– Lack of school support for teacher enhancement

Earth Science Content Guidelines: Grades K-12

• AGI 1991– Essential Questions

– Key Ideas

– Seeking Answers

• Content Domains– Solid Earth

– Water

– Air

– Ice

– Life

– Earth in Space

Standards and Benchmarks

• National Research Council• AAAS Project 2061

– Promote depth and understanding in curriculum

– Focus on the needs of all students

– View reform as systemic change

– Emphasize role of inquiry in learning

– Contain Earth and Space Science as Separate Content Domain

National Science Foundation

• Provides funding for:– Standards-based curriculum– Teacher enhancement– Implementation centers

• Funded AGI to produce:– Investigating Earth Systems (1994)– EarthComm (1995)

Overview:– Nine modules, each six weeks in length

– Seven investigations with culminating research project

Goals:– Help students learn earth science content

– Help students learn how to do inquiry

– Motivate students to continue their study of earth science in high school

DEVELOPMENT and TESTING

• Drafted by university faculty-teacher teams in…

• Pilot tested by … middle school teachers in …

• Revised by … in…

• Field tested by … middle school teachers in … states in the … school year.

Evaluation Results“.”Independent Project Evaluator’s Report

PUBLICATION

• Publishes only NSF-funded and field tested programs.

• Supports implementation with teacher workshops, software, and Materials kits.

Other IAT Programs:

TEACHER ENHANCEMENT

TEACHER ENHANCEMENT

Additional Outcomes

IMPLEMENTATION

FURTHER INFORMATION

It’s About Time

• 1-888-698-TIME

• www.its-about-time.com

American Geological Institute

• www.agiweb.org/education/