Experiential Learning with STELLA Instruments
This 2.5-hour workshop engages participants in authentic scientific inquiry using STELLA instruments while modeling the Investigative Science Learning Environment (ISLE) methodology. Participants begin with hands-on exploration at three stations measuring vegetation health, air quality, and solar radiation without prior instruction. Through collaborative observation and hypothesis development, they experience student-centered learning firsthand before adapting investigations for their own classrooms. The workshop emphasizes extensive hands-on time (75 minutes total) with STELLA spectrometers, air quality sensors, and solar radiation instruments. Participants work in interdisciplinary groups, developing multiple explanations for observed patterns before designing experiments to test their hypotheses. This mirrors authentic scientific practice while building community among educators from diverse institutions. Rather than traditional lecture format, facilitators guide discovery through strategic questioning and scaffolded collaboration. Participants leave with immediately usable investigation protocols, assessment rubrics, and adaptation worksheets customized for their teaching contexts. Implementation planning ensures concrete next steps for classroom application. The workshop models research-based pedagogy while building a network of educators committed to student-centered Earth science instruction. All materials include appropriate disclaimers about STELLA's educational purpose and current validation status. Follow-up support includes virtual meetings, shared resource libraries, and conference presentation opportunities, creating sustainable community around ISLE implementation with STELLA instruments for enhanced Earth science education.
Intended Audience
Primary Beneficiaries:
- Community College Earth Science Faculty - These educators will benefit most as they often teach diverse student populations, including many first-generation college students and career-chankers. STELLA's affordable, hands-on approach aligns perfectly with community college missions of accessible education and workforce development. The ISLE methodology addresses varying academic preparation levels by engaging all students in authentic scientific practice regardless of prior knowledge.
- High School Environmental Science Teachers
- Secondary educators seeking to move beyond cookbook labs will find this workshop transformative. STELLA instruments provide the authentic research experience that Advanced Placement and Next Generation Science Standards demand, while remaining budget-friendly for schools. The ISLE approach develops critical thinking skills essential for college readiness and STEM career preparation.
- University Faculty Teaching Non-Majors
- Professors teaching general education Earth science courses struggle to engage students who may be intimidated by science. The ISLE cycle using STELLA creates positive first experiences with scientific inquiry, potentially recruiting students to STEM fields while developing scientific literacy for all citizens.
Secondary Beneficiaries :
- STEM Education Researchers - Faculty studying active learning pedagogies will gain practical experience with research-validated approaches. The workshop provides concrete examples of implementing student-centered instruction in Earth science contexts, supporting their own pedagogical research and professional development.
- Agricultural Education Instructors - Teachers in agricultural programs can leverage STELLA's crop monitoring capabilities to demonstrate precision agriculture concepts, connecting traditional farming knowledge with modern technology while building technical workforce skills.
Why These Groups Benefit Most:
- Resource Constraints: STELLA's low cost removes traditional barriers to authentic scientific instrumentation, particularly important for under-resourced institutions.
- Diverse Learning Needs: ISLE methodology creates inclusive learning environments where students with varying backgrounds can succeed through collaboration and multiple entry points to understanding.
- Career Relevance: STELLA investigations directly connect to growing careers in environmental consulting, precision agriculture, and remote sensing‚ fields accessible to students from diverse educational backgrounds.
- Professional Development Needs: These educators often lack access to cutting-edge pedagogical training, making this workshop particularly valuable for their professional growth and student success.
Goals
By the end of this workshop, participants will:
- Experience and facilitate authentic scientific inquiry using the ISLE methodology, enabling them to guide students through observation, hypothesis development, and experimental testing rather than providing predetermined answers.
- Design hands-on Earth science investigations using STELLA instruments that connect local measurements to NASA Earth observation missions, while understanding the educational limitations and appropriate applications of these instruments.
- Implement student-centered assessment strategies that evaluate scientific reasoning processes rather than just correct answers, including rubrics and self-evaluation tools aligned with ISLE principles.
- Adapt STELLA-based investigations for their specific teaching contexts, considering available resources, student populations, and curriculum standards while building connections with a network of educators for ongoing support and collaboration.