CIRES and NOAA: CIRES and NOAA: Partners in Education and OutreachPartners in Education and Outreach

Suzanne van Drunick and Susan BuhrCIRES (Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences)

University of Colorado, Boulder

http://cires.colorado.edu/~k12

OverviewOverview

What are CIRES’ strengths? How does NOAA benefit

through existing activities? How could NOAA benefit from

a strengthened education outreach partnership?

CIRES: NOAA/University of Colorado Research Institute

Oldest (40 yrs) Largest (550+) 6 div. 5+1 centers, EO, WWA, Data Mgmt, Inst. Shop, VF, IRP, GRA

Broad research scope Antarctica, Arctic, Greenland, glaciology, ice sheets global change, climate/weather, El Niño, ozone atmospheric dynamics & chemistry natural hazards - earthquakes, tsunamis ecology river soils, wetlands, ocean Geology remote sensing water quality, water resources science policy, technology policy

Scope of CIRES Education Outreach

Collaborate with CIRES researchers to extend expertise to meet education needs (CO, nationally).

*Rigorous attention to science & inquiry-based teaching

CIRES EDUCATION OUTREACH ACTIVITIES

-Professional development K-12 teachers & scientists-Support scientists proposal preparation & presentations-Videographer, Evaluation Services-Long-term partnerships with school districts-Informal education -Develop teaching materials-Projects: Classroom use of geoscience data, &

developing digital resources-Respond to community requests for mentors, speakers,

science support, info., photos, panelists, etc.-Events: hosted NOSB, Ice Fest

Earthworks A 10-year project of CIRES Outreach

Free 7-day workshop for secondary-science teachers.

Design and conduct an earth science study with help of scientists.

Topics of K-12 relevance with feasible technology.

Teachers learn through doing inquiry-based science (novel).

Many teach disadvantaged students in urban envt., English language learners, special ed., etc.

Provides a like-minded community for teachers who excel; supportive.

Earthworks teachers and scientist engaged in water

resources research.

The National OceanSciences Bowl (NOSB®)

• CO competition 1 of the largest of 25 sites• NOAA scientists volunteer• Several states (CO, UT, WY, KS)• CORE and CIRES base funding • 114 students + coaches in 2007 • CO teams have finished 2nd, 3rd and 5th nationally

CO team wins second place at Nationals

ReSciPE: Resources for Scientists

in Partnership with Education Professional development program for scientists to meet requirements by funding agencies to demonstrate ‘broader impacts’ of research.

Scientists & Educators bring scientific research to the K-16 classroom. 15 workshops for 360 scientists on “Scientific Inquiry in the Classroom”(Inquiry teaching & learning; national standards for inquiry-based K-12 science education, hands-on examples for classrooms ) 2 workshops at NOAA, NOAA personnel at others Results: - Statistically significant gains in knowledge of inquiry & belief in its effectiveness - Data on scientists’ needs, activities, barriers & rewards

Math, Engineering, Science Achievement

(MESA)

After school program for students under-represented in science.

NASA funded project to build instrument for Solar Dynamics satellite mission.

NOAA Space Envt Center (SEC) collaborates & NOAA scientists contribute.

Students study ionosphere activity related to solar weather, build antenna, contribute data to SOLAR project at Stanford.

*CO MESA award of recognition Gains in English, science, math, computer

skills and attendance

“How can I be a scientist like you?” Question asked of Dr. Araujo-Pradere, CIRES/NOAA SEC

Current Societal Issues Outreach: NOAA projects or benefit

Coral Reef Stakeholder workshops Drought Information Services CORE/NOAA + CIRES support of NOSB International Polar Year Teaching Controversial Subjects-

Climate Climate Literacy workshops-NOAA and

NSF Space Weather-NASA and NOAA

Other CIRES Activities

CIRES technology transfer, environmental studies program, faculty teaching

CIRES Center for Science and Technology Policy Research Center (CSTPR):

Decision makers and students CIRES/NOAA Western Water

Assessment: Resource managers

CSTPR OUTREACHCSTPR communicates its research to decision makers through: a dynamic, widely-read science policy weblog, a bi-monthly briefing about current activities, a quarterly newsletter; and workshops & lectures at CU-Boulder and beyond.

CSTPR BRIEFING (2006)

Email briefing about CSTPR science policy work. Examples of recent Prometheus entries and publications. Distributed to over 3,400 science and technology policy decision makers in Washington, D.C., and around the world.Also posted on the Center’s website: http://sciencepolicy.colorado.edu/outreach/cstpr_briefings.html

CSTPR Science Policy Weblog - Prometheus

Forum for science policy community and public for news and commentary. Cited as one of the top 50 science blogs by Nature and an example of an “excellent, informative” blog by Science.

CSTPR NEWSLETTER - OgmiusEach issue features an opinion by leading voice(s) in the science and technology policy field on important issues. Currently 195 subscribers. Available online: http://sciencepolicy.colorado.edu/ogmius/

Prometheus is ranked in the top .02% of all weblogs by Technorati, one of the most recognized authorities on weblogs. http://sciencepolicy.colorado.edu/prometheus

The Western Water Assessment: Selected Outreach Activities

Paleo Climate Workshops for Water Managers

Climate Presentations to Stakeholder Groups

- Provides updated climate and hydrologic information to managers, planners, and policy makers with water-related interests. - Featured information: temp and precip outlooks, reservoir levels, water availability, ENSO status, etc. + 2 articles on new research or climate products- Issued monthly via email listserv to more than 275 stakeholders

The Intermountain West Climate Summary

- Provide water managers w/info. about how tree-ring data and streamflow reconstructions are generated, and how to incorporate such info. into water management modeling and planning. - 2005: Tucson 2006: Alamosa, Boulder, Tucson 2007: Boulder, CO

-Testimony - U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Water and Power, Impact of Climate Change on U.S. Water Resources, June 2007, Washington D.C- Water Challenges on the Colorado River: San Francisco Public Utilities Water Utility Climate Change Summit, January 2007, San Francisco, CA- Climate Change and Water Management, US Conference of Mayors, June 2006, Las Vegas, NV http://wwa.colorado.edu

CIRES Outreach Funding by Category FY2006 $758K

($K)

$282

$55

$49

$372

Base

NOAA Benefit,non NOAA $

NOAA Direct

Other sponsored

Benefits to NOAA

Agile, interdisciplinary response Expertise in air, water, oceans,

climate (most PhDs NOAA disciplines) Broad skill set (evaluation, comm.,

educ., digital resource development, videography)

Success in scientist engagement Success (10-yrs) in professional

development Networks-local, regional, national Experience communicating

sensitive societal issues

Award-winning Earthworks teachers use

lichens to study air quality

Toward a stronger outreach partnership

Best if NOAA scientists perceive engagement as part of the job Provide support for NOAA scientists Earthworks, NOSB, Inquiry workshops, MESA modules Collaborate with NOAA Outreach personnel Provide professional development for scientists (presentations,

education) Provide networks and contacts Videographer and evaluation support

Conclusion CIRES involves NOAA

scientists in outreach now

CIRES has broad expertise and skills

Through CI, can move with agility and flexibility

CIRES Outreach looks forward to next steps-how to proceed?

“I learned how to think differently about my area of expertise…I gained many skills-public speaking, teaching, interpersonal-all worthwhile for many occupations” [Graduate student on the benefits of outreach]

“I enjoyed talking with school kids and teachers about science-it made my occupation seem more relevant” [Researcher]