 The
“Travel Nebraska to Teach Science” tour took place June
19-23, 2000. The tour was made possible by funds provided by the Dwight
D. Eisenhower Professional Development Program. Coordination of the
grant was provided by the Center for Science, Mathematics, and Computer
Education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Nine fourth grade teachers and five middle level teachers from
various Nebraska public schools participated in the tour. Leaders
included Dave Gosselin, Associate Professor and Research Hydrogeologist,
University of Nebraska Lincoln; Mike Jess, Water Resources Engineer,
University of Nebraska Lincoln; Jim Woodland, Director of Science
Education, Nebraska Department of Education; and John LeFeber, Director
of Social Science Education, Nebraska Department of Education.
Participants increased their knowledge about Nebraska water resources,
Nebraska geology, hydrology, and food production. The tour also
provided opportunities to develop new skills in using technology
to study Nebraska geology and hydrology, using Virtual Nebraska
and VistaPro software, and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) equipment.
These fourteen teachers experienced Nebraska from a science perspective.
Following the tour, the participants developed curriculum modules
that implement the new information and align with the Nebraska Science
Standards. These modules will be distributed to Nebraska teachers
in print by the Nebraska Department of Education and online by the
Center for Science, Mathematics, and Computer Education at http://nde4.nde.state.ne.us/NMSI/
.
Joyce Schmeeckle, Ph.D., conducted an evaluation of the activities
and experiences provided by the “Travel Nebraska to Teach
Science” tour. |
