Place-based Geospatial Science Learning and Applications in Rural Alaska

这项名为“阿拉斯加农村地区基于地点的地理空间科学学习和应用”的合作研究项目是一个以青年为基础的ITEST计划，涉及数学、科学和文化内容领域。在十个合作伙伴组织的支持下，项目参与者致力于在与文化相关的背景下应用适销对路的地理空间信息技术(IT)，从而在阿拉斯加农村社区可持续利用自然资源方面做出更明智的决策。在辍学率高、标准化考试分数低和现金经济困难的地区，160名中学生--主要是阿拉斯加原住民--和16名教师与科学家密切合作，分别接触了19200小时和1920小时。到该项目结束时，3,319名学生--包括2,025名阿拉斯加原住民和243名教师--将有机会接触到当地和文化相关的信息技术课程，借助于网络图像、地理信息系统数据和可供出借的实地工具包。该计划将地理空间信息技术和当地景观特征的传统知识整合到基于标准的课程中。学生在强调景观评估的顶石田野体验中，综合美洲原住民地图学、地貌学、地形图和地质图解释、遥感数据解释和地理信息系统的概念。该项目将教师、教育研究人员、遥感专家、地球科学专业人员、土著长老和其他具有传统知识的人的专门知识纳入创新的教学方法，以满足阿拉斯加农村社区的需要。研究人员对这些方法和做法的分析将为在有意义的背景下加强学习提供新的模式。

This collaborative research project entitled "Place-based Geospatial Science Learning and Applications in Rural Alaska" is a youth-based ITEST Program addressing math, science and cultural content areas. With the support of ten partner organizations, program participants engage in the application of marketable geospatial information technology (IT) fluencies situated in culturally relevant contexts, resulting in more informed decision-making regarding the sustainable use of natural resources in rural Alaskan communities. In regions characterized by high dropout rates, poor standardized test scores and struggling cash economies, 160 secondary students -- mostly Native Alaskans -- and 16 teachers work closely with scientists for a total of 19,200 and 1,920 contact hours, respectively. By the project's end 3,319 students -- including 2,025 Native Alaskans and 243 teachers -- will have access to locally and culturally relevant IT curriculum facilitated by web-served imagery, geographic information systems (GIS) data and field kits available for loan. The program integrates geospatial IT and local traditional knowledge of landscape features into standards-based curriculum. Students synthesize concepts from Native American cartography, geomorphology, topographic and geologic map interpretation, remotely sensed data interpretation and GIS during a capstone field experience emphasizing landscape evaluation. The project incorporates the expertise of teachers, education researchers, remote sensing specialists, geoscience professionals, Native Elders and others with traditions-based knowledge into innovative pedagogical approaches meeting the needs of rural Alaskan communities. Analyses of these approaches and practices by researchers will provide new models for enhancing learning in meaningful contexts.