Mid-Ocean Ridge Science Education

for Teachers

Ridge 2000

National Science Foundation

Penn State University

Purpose of Meeting

To explore ways that Conferences and Institutes can work with the Ridge 2000 Program to bring this exciting science to the K-12 community.

Agenda Background

What is Ridge 2000? E&O Goals Why Ridge Science for Teachers?

Ridge 2000 E&O Plans Integrated Ridge Science Education

Program Possible Workshop Offering Discussion

What is Ridge 2000? Ridge 2000 is a research initiative focused on

understanding the geological and biological processes of the mid-ocean ridges.

It is a community of scientists from multiple disciplines and research institutions across the country.

The program is currently administered at Penn State under Dr. Charles Fisher.

This research initiative is funded by the National Science Foundation.

Ridge 2000 Education Outreach Goal

To bring exciting research-based science into middle and high school classrooms.

The best way to do this is to provide teachers with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to incorporate real science into their curriculum.

- Mystic Workshop participants

Why Ridge Science? For the last 20 years, ridge spreading

centers have been very active areas of research, yielding fundamental discoveries regarding plate tectonics and life in extreme environments.

Although groundbreaking science, its not typically covered well in schools.

It’s really exciting, engaging science!

Ridge 2000 E&O Plans

Integrated Ridge Science Education Program

Curriculum modules tied to National Education Standards.

“Participation” in research cruises via interactive web sites.

Teacher Professional Development.

Ridge 2000 E&O Plans

Teacher Professional Development

REVEL - Teacher at Sea Program Distance Education Course for

Teachers On-line Short Course (e.g. JASON

Academy) Local Teacher Workshops

Target Audience Primary Audience

In-service secondary school science teachers (primarily earth science, but also biology, physics, and chemistry teachers)

Pre-service teachers? Why are teachers interested?

Continuing ed credits to maintain certification

Advanced degrees to increase salary

Course/Workshop Objectives

Students will gain an understanding of -- mid-ocean ridge science basic geology, geochemistry, geophysics,

biology, and ecology of these systems and how these disciplines are integrated

deep-sea technology and applications how to incorporate this science into their

curriculum

Specific Topics Covered Basic Earth Structure (core, mantle, crust)

Plate motion/tectonics, Earthquakes & volcanic eruptions Seismology as a diagnostic tool

Geochemistry Rock/Sea water interactions, formation of chimneys Sulfides and other vent chemistry

Geophysics Physical characteristics of the environment (temp, pressure, light) Water column and plume dynamics

Biology/Ecology Microbes and subsurface biosphere Chemosynthesis as basis of food web Organisms living at vent sites / Communities Diversity and Adaptations Colonization and Succession

Specific Topics (continued)

Deep-sea Technology History of submersibles, how it enables, drives, limits research Types of technology (ALVIN, ABE, ROV’s) Challenges of conducting research in remote environment

Major Discoveries Plate tectonics Life in the extreme Communities without sunlight

Applications in the classroom Geosciences / Earth Sciences classes Biology Chemistry Physics

What Ridge 2000 and Ocean Sciences Community Brings

Access to current research topics and expertise.Guest lecturers drawn from Ridge 2000 community.Centers for Ocean Science Education Excellence (COSEE) may provide venues for workshops nationwide.

Other Considerations

We are currently developing a Student Experiment at Sea ProgramWe also plan to provide “live” web-based coverage of 1-2 research cruises per school year (student level)These efforts will significantly help teachers bring this science to life in their classrooms!

Discussion of Workshop Offering

Does this fit with PSU teacher workshop offerings? How do we address a national audience of teachers? What role can C&I play? Funding?