Abstract

Professional Development for Teaching Science with Geospatial Technologies
Track: Educational Research and Teacher Education
Author(s): Karen Edelstein, James MaKinster, Nancy Trautmann

GIT Ahead is an NSF-funded project that helps secondary teachers teach core science concepts and environmental topics using geospatial technologies. For example, in one project students use AEJEE to explore complexities of invasive species management. In another, students collect GPS waypoints to map the extent and condition of roadside ditches, then import these data into ArcGIS and estimate the impacts of stormwater runoff on quantity and quality of surface water in the watershed. Teachers also create their own curriculum projects, and we are developing Internet-based software to simplify the challenges they face in finding and applying appropriate spatial datasets for exploration of environmental issues in New York State's Finger Lakes region. This session will focus on opportunities and challenges inherent in teacher professional development focusing on geospatial technologies. We will present data documenting growth in geospatial interests and skills in teachers participating in GIT Ahead.

Karen Edelstein
Finger Lakes Institute
601 S. Main St.
Geneva , New York 14456
United States
Phone: 315-781-4385
E-mail: edelstein@hws.edu

James MaKinster
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
300 Pulteney St.
Geneva , New York 14456
United States
Phone: 315-781-3141
E-mail: makinster@hws.edu

Nancy Trautmann
Cornell University
100 Rice Hall
Ithaca , New York 14853
United States
Phone: 607-255-9257
E-mail: nmt2@cornell.edu