Improving Students’ Data Literacy in Environmental Science

该项目旨在通过创建和评估缅因州圣约瑟夫学院环境技术和数据素养辅修课程来提高学生在环境科学方面的数据素养，从而服务于国家利益。圣约瑟夫学院是一所小型私立文科学院。这门辅修课程的增加有望提高学生对技术和数据的理解和使用，以解决环境科学中的问题。环境科学家需要有能力收集、分析和解释大型数据集，以帮助做出与生态系统相关的明智决策。主动学习技术已被证明能有效地吸引学生参加课程，并帮助学生学习重要的概念和技能。该项目将在与公共和私营部门机构的伙伴关系的基础上，协助制定本科生环境数据素养技能课程，该课程将使用主动学习技术教授。将通过调查学生数据素养技能能力和自我效能的变化来评估新课程对学生学习的影响。这个辅修课程可以作为其他本科院校的榜样，有助于增加拥有环境科学工作所需的数据素养技能的学生数量。该项目的目标是(1)开发课程来提高学生的数据素养技能，(2)以社区为基础的学习形式为学生提供实地经验和研究机会，以便学生能够练习他们的技能。该项目将开设四门新课程，包括环境传感器与网络、大数据集统计、环境数据解释与应用、环境科学技术传播。将利用区域、公共和私营机构的研究项目，对现有的Capstone课程进行修改，重点放在综合环境数据素养技能上。该项目将解决两个研究问题：(1)辅修环境技术和数据素养如何影响数据素养技能能力和自我效能？(2)数据素养和自我效能与完成辅修和毕业后与环境科学相关的就业或研究生教育有何关系？这项研究将使用混合方法，包括使用数据素养技能的前后清单评估学生的学习，以及使用自我效能调查工具和焦点小组评估自我效能。将通过会议海报、出版物以及创建和实施讲习班来传播项目成果。NSF IUSE：EHR计划支持研究和开发项目，以提高所有学生的STEM教育的有效性。通过参与的学生学习路径，该计划支持有前景的实践和工具的创建、探索和实施。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project aims to serve the national interest by improving students’ data literacy in environmental science through the creation and evaluation of a minor in environmental technology and data literacy at St. Joseph’s College of Maine, a small, private, liberal arts college. The addition of this minor is expected to improve students’ understanding and use of technology and data for the purpose of solving problems in environmental science. Environmental scientists need to have the ability to collect, analyze, and interpret large data sets to help make informed decisions related to ecosystems. Active learning techniques have been shown to be effective in engaging students in courses and helping students learn important concepts and skills. This project will build on partnerships with public- and private-sector institutions to aid in the development of a curriculum in environmental data literacy skills at the undergraduate level that will be taught using active learning techniques. The impact of the new curriculum on student learning will be assessed by investigating changes in students' data literacy skill competencies and self-efficacy. This minor can serve as a model for other undergraduate institutions, which could help increase the number of students with the data literacy skills that are needed in the environmental science workforce.The objectives of this project are to (1) develop courses to improve students’ data literacy skills and (2) provide students with field experiences and research opportunities in a community-based learning format so that students can practice their skills. This project will develop four new courses including Environmental Sensors and Networking, Statistics of Large Data Sets, Interpretation and Application of Environmental Data, and Technical Communication for Environmental Science. An existing capstone course will be modified to focus on integrative environmental data literacy skills using research projects from regional public and private institutions. The project will address two research questions: (1) How does an environmental technology and data literacy minor affect data literacy skill competencies and self-efficacy? (2) How do data literacy and self-efficacy correlate to completion of the minor and post-graduation environmental science related employment or postgraduate education? The study will use a mixed methods approach that will include assessing student learning using a pre- and post-inventory of data literacy skills and assessing self-efficacy using a self-efficacy survey instrument and focus groups. Project results will be disseminated through conference posters, publications, and the creation and implementation of a workshop. The NSF IUSE: EHR Program supports research and development projects to improve the effectiveness of STEM education for all students. Through the Engaged Student Learning track, the program supports the creation, exploration, and implementation of promising practices and tools.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.