Using Authentic Earth Data in the K-12 Classroom

Background

The Science and Engineering Practices of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) underscore the importance of helping students to think scientifically, such as through the practice Analyzing and Interpreting Data (NGSS Lead States, 2013). When students use practices such as data analysis, they often demonstrate deeper understanding of concepts, more motivation and engagement, and higher grades in science (Minner, Levy, & Century, 2010) Technological tools that include opportunity for visualizing data can help students to make connections between their local communities and global issues (Marrero & Schuster, 2010).

In this chapter, we describe three K-12 programs in which students successfully analyze and interpret earth data as they learn standards-based science content, and examine the perspectives of teachers and students using the programs. These programs are now all courses within the NASA Endeavor program, in which teachers from across the United States and from around the world complete a course sequence in STEM education (www.us-satellite.net/endeavor). We then describe a case study in which we examined examples of the ways in which these data are affecting teaching and learning. Finally, we share some examples of ways in which teachers can use freely available sources of earth data with their own students.

While our discussion focuses primarily on Earth System Science, we hope that the ideas will challenge and encourage pre- and in-service teachers to use the myriad sources of authentic data that can be easily accessed online, and incorporate these data as an effective tool for science instruction.