Science Goes Spatial:

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• Science Goes Spatial
• Geotechnology in the Science Classroom
• Lisa M. Blank, Jeffrey W. Crews,
• Rachel Loehman, and Randy Knuth

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Spatial Thinking
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• Spatial thinking must be recognized as a
  fundamental part of K-12 education and as an
  integrator and a facilitator for problem solving
  across the curriculum. With advances in computing
  technologies and the increasing availability of
  geospatial data, spatial thinking will play a
  significant role in the information- based
  economy of the 21st-century. Using appropriately
  designed support systems tailored to the K-12
  context, spatial thinking can be taught formally
  to all students. A geographic information system
  (GIS) offers one example of a high-technology
  support system that can enable students and
  teachers to practice and apply spatial thinking
  in many areas of the curriculum (National
  Research Council, 2005).

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• In the recently released proceedings from the
  National Science Teachers Association
  (http//science.nsta.org/enewsletter/lmr.pdf), an
  alarming trend was noted
• . . . new and emerging technologies, which help
  shape the future of science and discovery, are
  making their way into the K-12 curriculum in a
  belated or back-door fashion, if at all.
  Technologies that are developed for business
  applications are being adapted, at best, in a
  makeshift fashion for educational use. . . For
  the US to maintain its leadership position in the
  new information-based world economy . . .
  emerging technologies with science education
  potential must be made available to students and
  teachers.

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• Overall GTEC Goal
• Contribute to a national model that improves the
  teaching and learning of science in grades 5-12
  using geotechnologies.

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• Earth Observing Systems Education Project (EOS)
• GIS4MT
• 235 participating schools
• Introductory GIS trainings across Montana
• Obstacles to full implementation of GIS
• Onsite Support
• Data sets

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• GTEC Project Goals
• Increase student interest in science, technology
  and geotechnologies
• Develop student mastery in using geospatial
  technologies when solving real-world
  interdisciplinary problems
• Prepare students for careers in geospatial
  technologies
• Increase teacher comfort in use of
  geotechnologies in classroom
• Help teachers infuse geotechnologies into
  classroom instruction
• Build a national model for introducing geospatial
  technology to improve 5-12 science teaching and
  learning.

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• GTEC is a teacher training model that
  sustains the use of geospatial technology within
  Montana classrooms, positions Montana science
  classrooms as leaders in geotechnology education,
  and transfers to other sites across the country.
• Develop geotechnology educator leadership teams
• Generate spatial data sets that are appropriate
  for use with school-aged audiences and aligned
  with national science education standards
• Establish a system of support for dissemination
  of geospatial applications in the 5-12 science
  classroom including interactive website, help
  desk and bi-annual video conferencing
• Found a statewide geospatial technology
  competition
• Disseminate a national model for introducing
  geospatial technology to improve 5-12 science
  teaching and learning

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• GTEC Outcomes
• Explore geospatial resources being used by
  research scientists across Montana
• NTSG Faith Ann Heinsch and Rachel Loehman
• DBS Bill Granath
• FLBS Niels Maumenee
• Precision Agriculture Bob Rumney
• Share work with school district via an in-service
  workshop

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• Create geospatial module using GIS data
• ESRI Template
• Global Climate Change
• Two week module
• Implement geospatial module in your classroom
  during the 2006-2007 academic year
• Video tape GIS lesson highlighting student use of
  geospatial data set generated from GTEC summer
  institute
• Participate in pilot student GIS competition
  spring 2007

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• GTEC Support
• 2000 teacher stipend
• 500 classroom mini grant
• Four two-hour workshop sessions via video
  conference
• Weekly help desk support
• Graduate credit or OPI hours

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• Geospatial Careers
• http//geospatialcareers.net/