A New Dimension to the A New Dimension to the eGY:eGY: Connecting the Connecting the

Virtual Observatories to Virtual Observatories to Teachers WorldwideTeachers Worldwide

Emily CoBabe-AmmannEmily CoBabe-AmmannUniversity of ColoradoUniversity of Colorado

ecobabe@lasp.colorado.eduecobabe@lasp.colorado.edu

The Importance of Science The Importance of Science Education to the Education to the eeGY VisionGY Vision

Why include Education in eGY?Why include Education in eGY?

Open access to data only means something if Open access to data only means something if there is a framework within which it can be there is a framework within which it can be understood.understood.

With much of our ground-based monitoring With much of our ground-based monitoring stations in the developing world, increasing stations in the developing world, increasing science and technology proficiency in those science and technology proficiency in those countries is both a moral and practical countries is both a moral and practical imperative.imperative.

Technological advances makes the building of Technological advances makes the building of virtual educational communities a real virtual educational communities a real possibility.possibility.

eeGY Education and Outreach:GY Education and Outreach:Connecting Teachers to the Connecting Teachers to the

Virtual ObservatoriesVirtual Observatories

Virtual Solar Observatory EdGCM

We will start by covering the intellectual breadth of the I*Ys and their Geoscience focus and move from there…

Not Just About the Data….Not Just About the Data….

Our goal is make a connection for teachers and students between their backyard and the world…

Inquiry-based lessons

Tutorials, Primers, &

Other Teacher Support

Computer-BasedAnimations, Interactive, &

Resources

Web-StreamedScience &Education

Talks

Connecting It All Together…Connecting It All Together…What are the Architectural What are the Architectural

Barriers?Barriers?

We hope to work with the VOs to develop, through the eGY portal, a way for teachers (and the general public) to access data in a constrained and contextual way.

Each Virtual Observatory has its own structure for interfacing with the outside world – Both in terms of how users defined their requests and how products are delivered

Very few of the VOs have an interface that allows ready access for the general public (including teachers)

Connecting to the Teachers:Connecting to the Teachers:The Real Trick! The Real Trick!

Science context of the VOs and Models Using the VOs and Models Basics of Virtual Communities

Navigating the Portal Modeling Lessons Best Teaching Practices

Teacher Training is Key for Full Value

Formats will vary, depending on opportunities….

Connecting to the Teachers:Connecting to the Teachers:Technology as a ToolTechnology as a Tool

Technology is transforming how we build Virtual Education Communities

New possibilities in both synchronous and asynchronous applications are opening doors to a larger audience

Faster networks internationally are facilitating the explosion in possibilities.

International Teacher Workshops will be done virtually, using trained Master Teachers and the newest technology to bring state-of-the-art science education to teachers around the world.

Connecting to the Teachers:Connecting to the Teachers:An International CampaignAn International Campaign

50 Pairs ofMaster Teachers

150 4-Hour

Workshops With 20 Teachers

each

3000 ScienceTeacher

s Around

theWorld

The eGY Ripple

Portal will be available in 6 languages (English, Spanish, French, Mandarin, Japanese, and Swahili) with both low- and high-bandwidth options

Although the workshops will be given in English, they will be followed up with on-line support in the supported languages from eGY Central.

What Happens after What Happens after eeGY?GY?Sustainability for the FutureSustainability for the Future

Portal continues after the eGY finishes. VOs with new content area will continue to be added. The Portal architecture will continue to evolve, taking advantage of new technologies and information management models.

Downstream migration into an ongoing program?