Abstract
 Mapprints to the Future! Middle School GIS Curriculum Alignment Track: Teacher Education and Educational Research Author(s): Jennifer Lipton, Nancy Poage-Nixon, Connolly Coyle Covington Middle School (Austin ISD) and the University of Texas GK-12 program are developing GIS-based, interdisciplinary curriculum that aligns both within and across grade levels. This allows teachers to build upon previously taught concepts and provides a unique opportunity to integrate both science and social studies curricula while developing advanced thinking skills. Sixth grade students utilize GIS software to locate, analyze and map their local watershed. This is augmented in seventh grade when students further develop their knowledge of GIS by jumping scales to examine Texas ecological zones. These same maps are also used in Texas History, thereby bridging seventh grade science and social studies curricula. Currently, a GIS curriculum is being developed for eighth grade that will incorporate local soils and geology. Upon leaving middle school, students will have utilized the advanced skills of GIScience to examine biological and physical science and analyze human development and social patterns. Jennifer Lipton University of Texas at Austin Environmental Science Institute 4205 Speedway #305 Austin , TX 78751 US Phone: 512-380-9087 E-mail: jenlipton@mail.utexas.edu Nancy Poage-Nixon Covington Middle School, AISD Science Department 9105 North Madrone Trail Austin , TX 78737 US Phone: 512-841-3667 Fax: 512-892-4547 E-mail: npoageni@austin.isd.tenet.edu Connolly Coyle Austin Independent School District Covington Middle School 2809 W. William Cannon ##206F Austin , TX 78745 UY Phone: 512-841-3671 E-mail: connollycoyle@hotmail.com |
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