DLESE description of Urban Field Geology for K-8 Teachers

Geologists have long recognized the value of field trips, and the National Science Education Standards recommend them for K-8 science curricula. However, many teachers avoid running field trips. This article presents the results of a series of summer institutes for urban geoscience teachers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in which field and laboratory activities were developed in the context of local geology and field trip practices of "Teaming Up", reducing novelty space, and pre- and post-trip activities were encouraged. Teachers were also introduced to the use of the Action Planning model to assist in implementing curricular changes within their schools to encourage the use of field trips. The researchers determined that the teachers in these workshops increased their personal belief in their ability to teach earth science more effectivly. They also felt more comfortable with content material and found that action plans were an effective way to enact change regarding the role of field trips in their schools and in their earth science curricula.