Development of Inquiry-Based Earth Dynamics Lessons Using SeisVoIE (An Earthquake and Volcano Plotting and Analysis Computer Program) for Grades 7-9

该项目将使用计算机程序SeisVolE为地球科学单位开发一个模块，该模块强调地震及相关地震学和板块构造，并以查询为基础。这一单元将以调查的详细描述(对教师和学生)的形式包括样本教案，这些调查可以很容易地使用SeisVolE软件以及电子表格和文字处理软件等常见工具进行。这些调查将作为教师和学生对与地震有关的研究问题进行调查的模板。该单元是地球科学单元的一部分(几天到几周的学习，取决于班级和教师和学生的兴趣)，而不是整个课程，并将适用于各种年级(取决于教师选择的调查的范围、复杂性和定量分析水平)。因此，该单元最终可供数以万计的教师(中学)及其学生使用。编写的教案将在因特网上免费提供(通过打印网页或下载pdf文件，然后可使用免费的Adobe软件以嵌入格式打印)。将开设至少15门与地球科学有关的课程，涉及板块构造、地球结构、地震和火山灾害、板块构造与地震和火山的发生以及与山脉、大洋中脊、深海海沟、断块山等其他地球地貌以及地震成因的关系。这些课程将有助于扩大学生的探究范围，并将教育和研究经验结合起来。在该项目期间，将对80名教师进行使用这些材料的培训，作为实地测试和评估材料的一部分。将通过80名教师的在职工作、在互联网上分发完整的课程、在摊位上传播以及在两次国家教师协会全国会议上发表演讲，向更多的教师提供材料。在项目期间，将进行实地测试，并从80名教师及其班级的学生那里收集关于课程质量和效果的数据。这些数据将包括内容领域的态度、技能和成就的前后测试。这些数据将被用来提炼经验教训，并对材料和项目进行评估。一名熟悉科学教育、地球科学、示范课程材料和国家科学基金会资助的项目的外部评估者将进行评估。一个由科学教育工作者组成的咨询委员会也将在开发过程中就材料提供反馈。

9907752BraileThe project will develop a module for an Earth science unit, which emphasizes earthquakes and related seismology and plate tectonics and is inquiry-based, using the computer program SeisVolE. Th module will include sample lesson plans in the form of detailed descriptions (for both teachers and students) of investigations that can easily be conducted using the SeisVolE software and commonly available tools such as spreadsheet and word processing software. The investigations will serve as examples of templates for teacher-and student-generated investigations of research questions related to earthquakes. The module is meant to be a part (a few days to a few weeks of study depending on the class and the interests of the teacher and students) of an Earth science unit, not an entire curriculum, and will be appropriate for use in a range of grade levels (depending on scope, complexity and level of quantitative analysis of the investigations selected by the teacher). Thus, the module could ultimately be utilized by tens of thousands of teachers (middle and secondary level) and their students. The developed lesson plans will be made available at no cost on the Internet (by printing of web pages or download of pdf files which can then be printed with imbedded formatting by using freely available Adobe software). At least 15 Earth-science related lessons involving plate tectonics, structure of the earth, earthquake and volcanic hazards, the relationship of plate tectonics to occurrences of earthquake and volcanoes and to other Earth features such as mountain ranges, mid-ocean ridges, deep-sea trenches, fault block mountains, etc., and the causes of earthquakes, will be developed. The lessons will facilitate extended student inquiry and the integration of education and research experiences. During the project, 80 teachers will be trained in the use of these materials as part of field-testing and evaluation of the materials. Many more teachers will be provided with the materials through in-service efforts of the 80 teachers, through distribution of the full lessons on the Internet, and through dissemination at a booth and in presentations at two NSTA national meetings. Filed testing will be conducted and data on the quality and effectiveness of the lessons will be collected from the 80 teachers, and from students in their classes, during the project. These data will include pre- and post-tests of attitude, skills and, achievement in the content area. The data will be used to refine the lessons and provide an assessment of the materials and of the project. An external evaluator who is familiar with science education, Earth sciences, exemplary curriculum materials, and NSF-supported projects will conduct the assessment. An advisory committee of science educators will also provide feedback on the materials during development