Dissemination 3-credit Option

Goal of Dissemination:

STEM Earth Central participants can elect to engage in a variety of dissemination activities with the goal of promoting the teaching of concepts and processes articulated in the Earth and Space Science portion of their state standards.  The main focus of these activities will be to highlight the relationship between science and technology as teachers utilize NASA data and images in exploring hydrology, geology, plate tectonics, meteorology, climatology, and energy resources.

Objectives:

STEM Earth Central participants will meet the above dissemination goals by either:

1) planning and conducting three hours of workshop activities,  or

2) presenting at a professional conference,  or

3) writing and submitting a paper to a professional journal.

·         Planning & Conducting a Workshop

Supported by STEM Earth Central faculty and staff, participants choosing this option will plan and conduct a 3-hour workshop for teachers in their school, district, or local area. Participants can choose the content and pedagogical focus of the workshop based on their interests and needs.  The workshop should include explicit teaching about the integration of Earth Science into other science disciplines and the utilization of NASA data and images (required for our grant) while meeting state standards for science, technology, and engineering.

·         Conference Presentation

Participants choosing this option will present a paper at an up-coming education or science conference (MAST, MASS, NELMS, NSTA, GSA, etc.) that highlights their learning about the integration of Earth Science into other science disciplines and the utilization of NASA data and images through our project.   An important focus of the presentation will be practical classroom applications of project goals. Limited travel funds may be available.

·         Journal Submittal

Participants choosing this option will submit a paper for publication to an educational journal (i.e. The Science Teacher, Science Scope). The paper could highlight the participant’s learning about the integration of Earth Science into other science disciplines and the utilization of NASA data and images for science teaching. The paper could also focus on the participant’s implementation efforts.

Deadlines – Generally it is expected that you send us a proposal by Oct. 1st, complete the work in the fall, send all of the documents to us, and register and pay for a spring semester course.  Why are we doing it that way? Because last year, we had many problems with class members signing up for courses and then not completing any work.  Now, you will do the work, send it to us, and we will get you the credit in the spring.

·         A detailed workshop proposal or conference presentation proposal (see outline below) must be emailed to HOLLY by October 1st at holly@umassk12.net.  STEM STAFF will meet to discuss the proposals, and will then discuss with you a schedule for completion of the work.

Later, you will send us a printed summary of the presentation, including any and all accompanying documents – flyers, announcements, handouts, overheads, evaluations, etc.  Once the workshop/presentation is completed (and we realize that it may not be until spring) send the packet to Holly at the address below.  Please do not send incomplete packets.  Due for most by December 15th, unless we have agreed upon other arrangements.     

·         Educational journal articles are due December 15.  Please submit copies of everything sent to an educational journal, including cover letter, article submission requirements, etc.

Send all final reports (in a completed packet) to:  Holly Hargraves, STEM STAFF, 194 No. Maple Street, Florence, MA 01062. 

Dissemination Proposal Outline

3-credit Option

STEM Earth Central

All dissemination proposals must provide the following information.

Medium

What is your intended dissemination mode (workshop, conference presentation, paper submittal)?

Dates

What is the projected date for your workshop or conference?

Goals

What effect is your dissemination effort aimed at producing?

Objectives

How will you accomplish each goal?

How will you measure the success of each goal?

Users

Identify intended groups of "users" or beneficiaries of your dissemination effort.  Discuss their needs and how they will benefit from your efforts.

Planning & Implementation

Outline the steps of how you will plan and implement your dissemination effort.  Provide a timeline.

Content/Pedagogy

On what science content/NASA data images will you focus (be specific). What instructional strategies and activities will you use or highlight?

Source(s)

Name the affiliated projects, organizations, associations, or institutions, for dissemination purposes that sponsor or will support your dissemination effort.

Are there other organizations that you are a part of or know of that would strengthen the credibility and receptivity for your information?

Success

In what ways will you evaluate the impact of your dissemination activities?

Dissemination Documentation

Again, please provide Earth Central with copies of any written record of your project, including handouts, overheads, conference brochures, cover letters, acceptance letters, etc.  and mail it all in a completed packet to:  Holly Hargraves, STEM STAFF, 194 No. Maple Street, Florence, MA 01062.