Precollege Teacher Enhancement and Leadership Training
Providing Online Distance Learning Opportunities in
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DataStreme ECS has major support from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to conduct a Teacher Enhancement Project with a strong leadership component. An innovative Internet-based distance-learning course directed towards middle-school teachers, but open to all K-12 teachers, has been developed and is being implemented nationwide. The course, DataStreme Earth's Climate System (ECS), incorporates inquiry-based instructional strategies and a holistic concept of Earth from oceanic, atmospheric and terrestrial climate and problem-focused perspectives. It is designed after the other highly successful DataStreme distance-learning courses. The ECS course is 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. Teachers will become their school's representative as part of a major national science education program conducted by the American Meteorological Society. Who can participate in
DS-ECS? 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. How is the DataStreme ECS
course conducted? The DataStreme ECS course is offered through DataStreme ECS Local Implementation Teams (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 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. DataStreme Central, located at the AMS Education Office, is a team that develops instructional materials, provides logistical support to the LITs, conducts the credit-bearing course in which most DataStreme ECS participants enroll, and administers the overall project. What equipment do I need for
DataStreme ECS? What will I need to do if I am selected for the DataStreme ECS course?
What does DataStreme ECS do for
me?
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 College at Brockport. Credit is awarded upon successfully completing course requirements the same semester as the course is taken. What materials does DataStreme ECS supply?
What must I do after the DataStreme
ECS course? DataStreme ECS expects to develop a long-term working relationship with DataStreme 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. How do I apply for DataStreme ECS?
If there is no LIT listed near you or in your state, inquiries may be sent to find out about joining a LIT outside your area by email to: amsedu@ametsoc.org. 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. NASA and NSF support DataStreme ECS. The State University of New York at Brockport, NY awards graduate-level academic credit for DataStreme ECS. The AMS provides financial support for the program and encourages its membership to take part as LIT members. DataStreme ECS is primarily funded by NASA. NSF supports the ECS Geoscience Education Project |
© American
Meteorological Society Last updated 10-18-2011