Outreach Programs: Colorado
Earthworks
- General Information
- Principal Investigators (*contact person): Susan Buhr and Lesley K. Smith*
Address: University of Colorado, Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, UCB 216, Boulder, CO 80309-0216
Phone: 303-492-8105
Email: smithlk@cires.colorado.edu
URL: http://cires.colorado.edu/~k12/earthworks/index.html - Program Summary
- Earthworks is an innovative professional development program for secondary science teachers that includes field work and observations, inquiry-based learning, and practice with a variety of teaching and learning techniques. Earthworks is a one-week summertime workshop located in Colorado that provides an opportunity for teachers to conduct an in-depth investigation of one discipline within Earth Systems Science. Teachers choose, design, and carry out their own field-based projects, working with other teachers and volunteer scientists. Equipment and resources are provided, and the diversity of the local environment provides a unique setting for investigations of water quality, aquatic life, soils, geology, wildlife, weather, and more. In group discussions, practical strategies for classroom implementation, pedagogical ideas, and development of individual plans for the subsequent school year are discussed. The program emphasizes place-based environmental education, and participating teachers are encouraged to get their students in the field, whether it be in an urban or rural setting. Support is provided throughout the school year via an active listserve. Earthworks is primarily designed for new teachers, who are in their first three years of classroom teaching, and all expenses are covered for the participants.
- Funding Agency
- CIRES, NASA, EPA, University of Colorado Graduate School, University of Colorado Outreach Council
Science teachers participating in the 2002 Earthworks Program present their results from a research project on biological assessment of James Creek.