This project is designed to address emerging issues of global change (i.e. greenhouse effect, ozone depletion, deforestation, water pollution, loss of biological diversity, etc.) and the impact these changes may have on humans. The project will also relate these issues to the processes and concepts of the science taught in secondary schools. Development of five or more multi-activity modules, sequenced into an instructional unit, will be developed for high school biology, chemistry, and physics classes. A parallel version for use in junior high will also be developed. The modules will include (a) the nature of the research and resulting data that has led to an understanding of the issues, and (b) an emphasis on the implications of the topics for domestic and world social, political and economic issues. Research data and background understandings for the module developers will be provided by the active involvement of scientists from the Byrd Polar Research Center and the Center for Mapping at the Ohio State University. Classroom ideas for use with the research topics will be generated by teachers and developed into modules by the project staff. Continued input and monitoring by the research scientists will assure accuracy in representing both the subject matter and the methods of science. Similar involvement by teachers and science educators, with formative pilot testing, revision, and summative evaluation, will assure that pedagogy is sound and materials workable in classroom settings. Creative use of instructional methodologies such as simulations and laboratory exercises will be accompanied by adaptations of remote imaging, geographic information systems, and other data gathering and analysis techniques. Finally, the project will develop a model teacher workshop for dissemination of the materials through the National Science Teacher Association (NSTA) conferences and will meet NSTA requirements for distribution through that association.
