GK-12 Project WEST (Water, the Environment, Science and Teaching)

项目名称：GK-12 Project WEST （Water, Environment, Science and Teaching）机构：犹他大学P.I: David S. Chapman，地质与地球物理系研究员人数：11名研究生；3名本科生奖学金获得者学区合作伙伴：盐湖城学区一年级目标人群：4年级、8年级和9年级设置：城市与农村地区Track 1 GK-12 Project WEST（水、环境、科学和教学）将犹他大学、犹他自然历史博物馆和盐湖城学区联系起来，以加强4年级、8年级和9年级的研究性科学教学，以及对大学研究生和本科生的跨学科地球科学培训。西部（水与环境）的统一主题是重要的，因为它对这个干旱地区人类生存和生计的重要性是显而易见的。在这个年级范围内，国家标准和犹他州科学教学标准都关注这个主题。犹他州的每一所学校、每一所大学的学生和每一位居民都受到当地水循环的影响：我们的山脉接受的降水是谷底的十倍，水以溪流的形式流出或渗透到地下，支持在12,000英尺到3,000英尺海拔之间发现的许多生态系统，水提供农业和城市消费，并最终流入大盐湖独特的生态系统。水影响娱乐、经济和定居。通过加强对水在环境中的作用的理解，特别是在这个严重干旱的时候，学生们将思考他们在自然中的位置。七项具体活动旨在实现WEST和GK-12的目标：(1)教师-研究员研讨会，(2)研究生跨学科研究项目/研讨会，(3)研究生教学/学习研讨会，(4)课堂教学活动和教学资源的准备，(5)K-12学生实地考察，(6)开发WEST网站，以及(7)将研究发现与有效教学实践联系起来的年度WEST静修。西部项目在核心课程要求和国家标准的框架内促进小学、初中和高中学生的综合性和研究性学习。它以材料、观察站、研讨会和实地考察的形式为K-12教师提供专业发展工具，以促进更有效的科学教学。WEST的多学科性质（地质学，地球物理学，气象学，生态学）为被选为GK-12研究员的研究生和本科生提供了智力刺激和更好的学习机会。该项目的NSF智力价值体现在上述概念主题和活动2、3和7中。更广泛的影响包括参与WEST的学校的多样性。在每个阶段对项目进行评估，确保发现并遵循最佳实践。该项目部分由地质科学理事会提供资金支持。

Title: GK-12 Project WEST (Water, the Environment, Science and Teaching) Institution: University of Utah P.I.: David S. Chapman, Department of Geology and Geophysics Number of Fellows: 11 graduate fellows; 3 undergraduate fellows School District Partners: Salt Lake City School District first year Target Audience: Grades 4, 8, and 9 Setting: Urban with rural outreach NSF disciplines: Geosciences Track: Track 1 GK-12 Project WEST (Water, the Environment, Science, and Teaching) links the University of Utah, the Utah Museum of Natural History, and the Salt Lake City school district in enhancing inquiry based science teaching in grades 4, 8, and 9 and the interdisciplinary training of university graduate and undergraduate students in the geosciences. The unifying theme of WEST (water and the environment) is significant is the west because of its obvious importance for human survival and livelihood in this arid region. National standards and Utah standards for teaching science in this grade range focus on this theme. Every school and university student and every resident in the State of Utah is impacted by the local hydrological cycle: our mountain ranges receive ten times the precipitation of valley floors, water runs off in streams or percolates into the ground supporting the many ecosystems found between 12,000 ft and 3,000 ft elevation, water provides for both agriculture and urban consumption, and flows ultimately to the unique ecosystem of the Great Salt Lake. Water affects recreation, the economy, and settlement. By gaining an enhanced understanding of the role of water in the environment, particularly in this time of severe drought, students will contemplate their place in nature. Seven specific activities are designed to accomplish WEST and GK-12 goals: (1) teacher-fellow workshops, (2) a graduate fellow interdisciplinary research project/seminar, (3) a graduate fellow teaching/learning seminar, (4) classroom teaching activities and preparation of teaching resources, (5) K-12 student field trips, (6) development of a WEST web site, and (7) an annual WEST retreat that will link research discovery with effective teaching practice. Project WEST facilitates integrative and inquiry based learning among elementary, middle, and high school students within a framework of core curriculum requirements and state standards. It provides professional development tools to K-12 teachers in the form of materials, observatories, workshops, and field trips that promote more effective science teaching. The multidisciplinary nature of WEST (geology, geophysics, meteorology, ecology) provides intellectual stimulation and enhanced learning opportunities for graduate students and undergraduates selected as GK-12 Fellows. The NSF intellectual merit of this project is found within the conceptual theme and activities 2,3, and 7 above. The broader impacts include the diversity of the schools participating in WEST. Evaluation of the project at every stage ensures that best practices are discovered and followed. This project is partially supported by funds from the Directorate for Geological Sciences.