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The initial step in the training of ECS Resource Teachers is their participation in the ECS distance-learning course. The 13-week course is offered twice a year to selected participants. It investigates the mass and energy flows associated with the global climate system, and with related issues through the use of electronically transmitted environmental data and learning materials combined with Text readings and Investigations Manual activities and Current Climate Studies online investigations.
The ECS course is offered through ECS Local Implementation Team (LITs) that are located around the country. LITs, typically composed of three members, coordinate the selection and delivery of the course to approximately eight teacher participants each semester. Each team advertises the local course availability, recruits and selects participants, arranges and holds local meetings, individually mentors participants on course understandings and activities, provides participant evaluations, and assists in developing ECS Resource Teacher action plans. Each LIT is composed of at least one master precollege teacher and most include one professional meteorologist, hydrologist, oceanographer or environmental scientist.
The course is directed towards middle-school teachers, but open to all K-12 teachers, who live in an area served by a LIT . Teachers of any subject who have an interest in promoting the teaching of Earth System Science across the curriculum may apply. Applications are sought from persons who can demonstrate potential for leadership as resource teachers. They must be willing to act as resource persons for other teachers and as advocates for promoting the use of electronically-delivered environmental data in schools.
Teachers who are members of groups traditionally underrepresented in the sciences, or teachers who are teaching in schools with large numbers of students from groups traditionally underrepresented in the sciences, are especially urged to apply.
You will need a PC or Mac computer, printer, and an Internet connection with frames and javascript browsing capability (such as version 4.0 or higher, of either Microsoft Explorer or other browser software. If you are reading this on-screen with your own equipment and you can print it out, you are probably ready for ECS participation. To be sure, click on the link below. Move your mouse cursor over the image that appears (after a few seconds). You should be able to click on the green station dots to call up that local National Weather Service office webpage.
| http://www.weather.gov/climate/ |
The only other equipment requirement is access to email or a facsimile machine for transmitting and receiving materials between you and your LIT mentor.
By successfully completing the ECS course, you will:
All participants are enrolled in a 3 semester-hour graduate course, entitled ESC 677 Real-time Climate Studies, through the State University of New York's The College at Brockport. Credit is awarded upon successfully completing course requirements the same semester as the course is taken.
The goal of the ECS Project is to empower ECS Resource Teachers with the knowledge and capabilities to transform a virtually endless stream of environmental data into exciting and creative learning experiences for young people. As a ECS Resource Teacher, you will be expected to introduce other teachers and administrators in your school, parents, and members of the community to the benefits of utilizing electronically-delivered environmental data streams as vehicles for learning across the curriculum.
The ECS Project expects to develop a long-term working relationship with ECS course participants. The goal is to upgrade scientific literacy by motivating teachers and through them, their students, to develop and nurture active interests in science, mathematics, and technology.
Contact your nearest ECS LIT Leader by clicking on the heading 'Locate ECS Team by State', listed at the top of this webpage and request information and application materials for the next offering of the ECS course.
If there is no LIT listed
near you or in your state, inquiries may be sent to find out if a LIT is
forming in your area by email to: |
To be considered for participation, a completed application form must be submitted to your local LIT leader. You will be notified of the status of your application by the local LIT leader. Enrollment is limited and selection is based on a number of criteria.
The ECS Project operates through the combined efforts of several people working together to provide a unique enhancement opportunity for K-12 teachers.
At the local level, it consists of about 11 three-member Local Implementation Teams spread throughout the United States. These typically consist of trained master precollege teachers, local college faculty members, and professional scientists, including National Weather Service personnel.
ECS Central, located at the AMS Education Office in Washington DC, is a team that develops instructional materials, provides logistical support to the LITs, conducts the credit-bearing course in which most ECS participants enroll, and administers the overall project. These include Dr. James A. Brey, ECS Project Director; Dr. Joseph Moran, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay, who was primary author for the text; Dr. Robert Weinbeck, Associate Director; Dr. Ira W. Geer; Bernard Blair, Information Services Coordinator; Maude Mason, Executive Assistant, and Diem Tran, Shipping Assistant. Dr. Edward Hopkins, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Acting Wisconsin State Climatologist, writes the ECS Weekly Climate News.
The ECS Project is based upon work supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Opinions expressed are those of the authors and not
necessarily those of NASA.
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This page was last updated 8 June 2009.