DLESE description of Earth Science Revolution: Blueprint for Change

This is a report from the National Conference on the Revolution in Earth and Space Science Education, funded by the National Science Foundation, June 21-24, 2001. The main goal of the conference was to develop a vision and blueprint for K-12 Earth and space science education reform for the next decade. Participants included experts in science, education, and representatives from state and federal governmental agencies. The following key issues are addressed in the report: exploring the history, nature and scope of the revolution in the content, methods, and available resources in earth and space science education; making recommendations for policy and K-12 curriculum reform. Recommendations include state-based alliances to promote reform, more inquiry-based learning, greater use of visualization technologies, increased access to high quality Earth and space education for students and professional development for teachers, among several others.