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/