Climate Partners

About the Climate EarthLabs Project

The National Science Foundation funded TERC and its partners (University of Texas, Austin; Mississippi State University) to develop three high school curriculum units or "modules" that will help students understand the natural cycles of the Earth system, cycles that occur from daily, seasonal, and annual frequencies to ones that occur over thousands or tens of thousands of years. A goal of the project is to help students understand the ways in which these cycles influence Earth's climate, and ultimately, life on Earth.

The Climate EarthLabs modules are currently under development. Each module will involve a combination of readings, class discussions, presentations, data analysis, and hands-on lab experiences. The modules are Web-based; ideally students will have access to computers as they participate, but teachers can also find alternative approaches--for example printing materials, using a classroom computer and projector, use of a computer lab for key sessions, and giving assignments that can be completed on a home or library computer. You can download a brief outline of the content of each module here: EarthLabs Climate module outlines (Acrobat (PDF) 81kB Apr29 11)


Climate EarthLabs Partner Teachers

The Climate EarthLabs project is accepting applications from Texas and Mississippi high school science teachers who are interested in partnering with TERC. Each Partner Teacher can potentially participate in the project in three ways:

1. Curriculum Reviewers (summer 2011): Review a draft version of one Climate EarthLabs curriculum module and provide feedback to the curriculum development team at TERC. Each module is designed for approximately 12-15 class hours. Stipend offered.


2. School year research implementation (2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-2015 school years): Teach one curriculum module and provide feedback to the curriculum development team. For the upcoming school year (2014-15) this can occur at any time before the end of December 2014. Stipend offered.


3. Summer Workshop Leaders (summers of 2012 and 2013) : Work with project team members from TERC and other Partner Teachers to prepare for and help lead a summer workshop for high school teachers in your state, presenting the one curriculum module that you reviewed and taught. Stipend offered.

Workshop Dates

Texas Partner Teachers: June 11 – June 15, 2012

Mississippi Partner Teachers: June 18 – June 22, 2012

Texas Partner Teachers: June 10 – June 14, 2013

Mississippi Partner Teachers: June 17 – June 21, 2013

To learn more about the project, send questions to project director Nick Haddad (nick_haddad@terc.edu)

To participate in the 2014-2015 research effort as a Climate EarthLabs Partner Teacher, click the link below.

Partner Teacher Application


RESEARCH REMINDERS


1. BEFORE YOUR STUDENTS TAKE THE PRE-TEST

* Return the signed consent forms from parents, principals, and teachers (your own), using the address at the bottom of the form (varies with state)


Once we have received the forms from you we will send you the link to the online pre-test.


2. BEFORE YOU START TO IMPLEMENT THE MODULE

* Identify a colleague or supervisor who can be an Observer for one class.

* Send the observer's name, phone number(s) and e-mail address(es) to Sarah Hill.

* Have your participating students take the online pre-test. Students will need to be at computers.


A project team member will contact the observer and arrange time for a telephone training session.


3. DURING THE IMPLEMENTATION

* Please complete a very brief online feedback form each time you finish a Lab. Most modules have about 7 Labs. The form is available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/EarthLabsModuleFeedback2014 I'm adding that link to the Teacher web site for all three modules, at the bottom of the Title page, the very first page of the site.

* Expect your observer to spend one class period in your classroom. In some instances we will want to arrange for a second observer, maybe one of the project team members, to observe.


4. AFTER IMPLEMENTATION

* Within two weeks of completing the module, have your participating students complete the online post-test.

* Someone from the project team may contact you to ask to interview you about the implementation


The project will send you a $250 stipend for your efforts to coordinate the paperwork and other research requirements.