Teachers and students at the participating Kansas high schools:
- Interacted face-to-face with oceanographic research scientists
- Were exposed to the scientific process, critical thinking, and science communication
- Learned about potential careers in marine science
- Increased their awareness and understanding of the oceans and climate change
Who? High school science teachers and students in Kansas. Participating teachers were provided a stipend for their involvement (paid by Rutgers University), contingent upon completion of all phases of the project.
What? Year included:
- Summer Teacher Workshop (July 16-17, 2013)
- Classroom activities (Fall 2013)
- Live Video Broadcasts (January 2014)
- Research scientist talks and Student Research Symposium (April 15, 2014)
The science research mission was complemented by this extensive broader impact effort focused on bringing marine science to both rural and urban high school students in the Midwest (Kansas). The core educational objectives of this project were to 1) instruct students about potential careers in marine science, 2) engage students and promote their interest in the scientific process, critical thinking, and applications of science, mathematics, and technology, and 3) and increase students’ and teachers’ awareness and understanding of the oceans and global climate change, with special focus on the Western Antarctic Peninsula region. These objectives were accomplished using a multi-faceted approach including: outreach talks by marine scientists in various fields and careers (at the Student Research Symposium), a teacher/scientist training workshop (July), hands-on curriculum, interactive teaching using live video calls from Palmer Station to classrooms (January), scientists and students authoring blogs about the science, and a student symposium in which the students will present their own investigations.