Minerals, rocks, and resources are key components of any Earth Science course, and implementation of NGSS-based approaches to teaching offers new challenges for curriculum design. This workshop offers opportunities to begin development of examples of new approaches to learn about these Earth materials that incorporate engineering and technology practices, cross-cutting patterns, and the Nature of Science. Summer Workshop sessions based at the Lamont Campus of Columbia University in Palisades, NY, are complemented with field trips to the Sterling Hill Mining Museum in Ogdensburg, NY, and the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Participants receive a 1-year membership in NESTA (National Earth Science Teachers Association.) This institute is a component of the Earth2Class Workshops for Teachers.
OFFERED IN CONJUNCTION WITH ST. THOMAS AQUINAS COLLEGE
GRADUATE EDUCATION COURSE GED 7211 (2 or 3 credits)
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Participants will:
- Review important NGSS and PS/ES disciplinary core concepts pertinent to teaching about minerals, rocks, and resources in middle and high school Earth Science courses
- Examine selected cutting-edge research about these topics as examples for integrating science, technology, and engineering, and understanding cross-cutting relationships and the Nature of Science.
- Assess selected examples of existing lesson plans and develop additional plans for their own classes.
- Participate in field-based experiences to expand their own classroom resources through collecting rock and mineral samples, and understanding more about current and past mining practices.
- Deepen their understanding of the role of informal science education experiences within formal curricula
ONLINE-ONLY COURSE FORMAT
Participants will complete the Course Assignments and send responses as email attachments to Dr. Passow for feedback and comments. They may use locally-available resources in place of field experiences included in the on-campus format. Assignments may be completed in any order. Participants need also to indicate the number of hours needed to complete the assignments to document they have met the STAC contact-hours requirement.
ON-CAMPUS SUMMER COURSE FORMAT
Instruction will incorporate seminar-, web-, and field-based formats, including visits to laboratories and other assets on the campus of the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Sterling Hill Mining Museum, and American Museum of Natural History.
MEET IN THE LDEO BOREHOLE BUILDING 9 am – 4:30 pm.
| Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to the course Completion of applicable registration forms Overview of pertinent NGSS and State Science Standards Exploration of selected lesson plans and activities about minerals | Review/reflection about previous day’s concepts Field trip to Sterling Hill Mining Museum, Ogdensburg, NJ | Review/reflection about previous day’s concepts Exploration of selected lesson plans and activities about rocks | Review/reflection about previous day’s concepts Field trip to American Museum of Natural History, especially the Hall of Planet Earth Effective use of informal science education experiences |