NSF Biocomplexity Project: Education Projects… Rob Buirgy, Thompson School District, Loveland, CO
Jan 18, 2016
NSF Biocomplexity Project:
Education Projects…
Rob Buirgy, Thompson School District, Loveland, CO
The Original Education Vision…
“We will share our approach with students, educators, researchers, and
local planners through seminars, workshops, and conferences by use of case studies and comparative network
applications.”
The Project Description…
• Criterion Two- Broader Impacts: Our proposed research has several integrated educational and policy components. In terms of education, three high school teacher workshops will demonstrate the use of web based GIS models to actively engage high school seniors (and their teachers) in Puerto Rico and Colorado in biocomplexity research.
• Criterion Two- Broader Impacts: Our proposed research has several integrated educational and policy components. In terms of education, three high school teacher workshops will demonstrate the use of web based GIS models to actively engage high school seniors (and their teachers) in Puerto Rico and Colorado in biocomplexity research.
The Project Description…
• Criterion Two- Broader Impacts: Our proposed research has several integrated educational and policy components. In terms of education, three high school teacher workshops will demonstrate the use of web based GIS models to actively engage high school seniors (and their teachers) in Puerto Rico and Colorado in biocomplexity research.
The Project Description…
Education Challenges…
• Biocomplexity is a ‘complex’ topic
HEADWATERS LOWLANDS
River ContinuumConcept
Flood-Pulse Concept
Riverine ProductivityModel
Resource condition 1(upsteam condition)
Resource condition 2(downstream condition)
Species 1(upstreamconsumer)
Species 2(downstream
consumer)
resource supply
resource loss
Resource loss
consumption
consumption
consumer-dependentprocessing
consumer-independentprocessing
CPOM
FPOM
Xiphocaris(shredders)
Atya(collectors)
litterfall
export
export
consumption
consumption
shredder-dependentprocessing
shredder-independentprocessing
Education Challenges…
• Biocomplexity is a ‘complex’ topic
• Non-standardized comparisons are difficult
GreeleyGreeleyLovelandLoveland
WindsorWindsor
MillikenBerthoudBerthoud
Estes Park
JohnstownJohnstown
Estes Park
Milliken
Fort CollinsFort Collins
South Platte
Rive
r
Big Thompson River
Little Thompson River
Buckhorn Creek
Attachment ABig Thompson Watershed ForumGeographical Boundary
Forum's Geographical BoundaryMajor CitiesHorsetooth ReservoirMajor Flowing Waters
Legend
10 0 10 Miles
N
HorsetoothReservoir
Alva B. Adams Tunnel
One inch equals nine miles.
Education Challenges…
• Biocomplexity is a ‘complex’ topic
• Non-standardized comparisons are difficult
• Cultural differences are challenging
Education Challenges…
• Biocomplexity is a ‘complex’ topic
• Non-standardized comparisons are difficult
• Cultural differences are challenging
• Multiple goals are hard to pin down
Education Approach…
• Key Considerations:–Accessibility
–Relevance»Educational»Cultural
–Transferability
–Feasibility
Education Proposal…
• Deliverables:– 1. Description and access to information databases
for BT and PR watersheds– 2. Standardized template for “State of the Watershed”
report (Murphy, USGS)– 3. Classroom activities: data collection, GIS projects,
virtual tours and field site visits– 4. Watershed assessments based on “State of the
Watershed” reports for BT and PR– 5. Biocomplexity education webpage– 6. GIS- and web-based watershed assessment
projects– 7. Summer workshops to encourage collaboration
between BT and PR teachers
Education Proposal…
• Deliverables:– 1. Information databases – 2. Standardized template – 3. Classroom activities– 4. Watershed assessments – 5. Education webpage– 6. Projects– 7. Summer workshops
Education Proposal…
• Example …– 1. Information databases…
Angie Henn, CSU Graduate Student
Education Proposal…
• Discussion:
“Teacher Training Modules…”