Download GSA_2012 - Geological Society of America

Using Problem Based Learning (PBL) Module
Development as a Content Framework for ESS
Teacher Professional Development
Dr. Mark P. Turski
Department of Environmental Science and Policy
Plymouth State University
Geological Society of America
Charlotte, 2012
What is Problem Based Learning (PBL)
• “Is designed to
"simultaneously develop
both problem solving
strategies and disciplinary
knowledge bases and skills
by placing students in the
active role of problemsolvers confronted with an
ill-structured problem that
mirrors real-world
problems.” (ESSEA, 2009)
• Student-centered pedagogy in
which students learn about a
subject through the
experience of problem solving.
They learn both thinking
strategies and domain
knowledge. The goals of PBL
are to help the students
develop flexible knowledge,
effective problem solving
skills, self-directed learning,
effective collaboration skills
and intrinsic motivation.
(Hmelo-Silver, C.E.,2004
When in doubt use a Picture
Steps two through six may be
conducted concurrently (at the
same time), as new information
becomes available. As more
information is gathered, the
problem statement may be refined
or altered.
essea.strategies.org
Cognitive Dissonance
To often this is what teacher
teach.
When it should look something
like this
Best Website is Berkley’s Understanding Science
http://undsci.berkeley.edu/article/0_0_0/howscienceworks_02
To start off, I am lucky to actually know that a coral reef is a
complex grouping of multiple organisms. While knowing this very
basic fact, I also know that the reef is also a support system for
life. There are many organisms than live within and attached to
the reed not to mention the coral reef. Besides these simple facts
I have no real knowledge on this area.
With that being said, I believe that the coral dying from the
change in the temperature of the ocean is due to die. I mean the
evolution of coral has had to see the temperature of the ocean
change drastically at least once. The last set of reefs was to be
built around the time of the ending of the last glacial period
Corals live in colonies and are part of the cnidarian phylum.
They are a type of polyp that secrets a hard calcium carbonate
substance.
This substance creates immense coral reefs after thousands of
years.
We benefit from corals living in colonies because they continue to
build the reefs generation after generation, otherwise we
wouldn't have the large expanse of the coral reefs that we do (or
did in some cases). These reefs are made home to other aquatic
species. Corals are found in oceans at various depths depending
on the water temperature. They are typically found close to the
Earth's equator where the water is warmest. Coral comes in
different colors, sizes and shapes and they are endangered, but I
don't remember the reason.
One that I found the most interesting was the photosynthetic
relationship between the reefs and photosynthetic protists.
These protists reside endosymbiotically within the cells of the
coral polyps, where they take in sunlight and share the
products of photosynthesis with the coral. In return, the
protists get nutrients and a place to live. And this is only
possible in areas with shallow, clear water and where sunlight
levels are high. These are usually in subtropical areas.
When waters become polluted and cloudy, this blocks the
protists’ ability to absorb sunlight, hindering their
photosynthetic ability and ultimately killing the coral. The
warming of ocean temperatures also kills these protists,
which results in a phenomenon called coral bleaching. This
concept of bleaching was one that I did not understand
when I took Zoology last year and that would like to learn
more about in this unit.
1. It appears that the majority of corals live in the Pacific Ocean in volcanically/tectonically
active zones. Has their been research into the connection between the water chemistry in
these areas and the lifecycle of the coral (hydrosphere)?
2. How is plate movement and volcanic/tectonic activity influencing corals long and short
term (lithosphere)?
3. How much research has been done around implanting manmade reefs in natural settings
(biosphere and hydrosphere)?
4. What do long-term climate models show about the major atmospheric and oceanographic
changes that have happened in the past 25 million years (hydrosphere, atmosphere,
biosphere)?
5. Is there any evidence that corals have migrated during historic warming or cooling
periods? If so, do scientists anticipate this might not continue to happen? And are the time
scales of coral migration/evolution relative to the changes the species are facing today
hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere)?
The Group Questions
1. It appears that the majority of corals live in the Pacific Ocean in
volcanically/tectonically active zones. Has their been research into the connection
between the water chemistry in these areas and the lifecycle of the coral
(hydrosphere)?
2. How is plate movement and volcanic/tectonic activity influencing corals long
and short term (lithosphere)?
3. How much research has been done around implanting manmade reefs in natural
settings (biosphere and hydrosphere)?
4. What do long-term climate models show about the major atmospheric and
oceanographic changes that have happened in the past 25 million years
(hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere)?
5. Is there any evidence that corals have migrated during historic warming or
cooling periods? If so, do scientists anticipate this might not continue to happen?
And are the time scales of coral migration/evolution relative to the changes the
species are facing today hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere)?
What I have them do
• Annotated bibliography (general)
– Time sensitive
• Video clips library
• Photo library
• Activities Library
Must be different from ESSEA materials
ESS Analysis
The first step
http://essea.strategies.org
The synthesis step
Sphere Event –Using Google Docs
Sphere Event
• Artificial Reef > Hydrosphere
If artificial reefs are not properly designed, placed,
or cleaned, they can cause serious damage in and
to the water where they reside (see list of
disadvantages here). If the artificial components
have not been cleaned or managed properly, they
could contain toxic chemicals (such as heavy
metals, gasoline, and benzene) that pollute the
aquatic environment, including the ecosystems
they strive to create.
Synthesis
• B>L>H>E>
• Sediment from increasing fertilizer use is having a
significant impact on the water quality of coastal areas.
Since the 1960’s, the annual nitrogen fertilizer use has
increased more than six fold globally adding nitrogen
and phosphorus to the waters of the coastal regions.
This means that there is more sediment which can
cover coral reefs causing coral bleaching to occur
(Fabricius, 2005). Is it the fertilizer that is settling out of
solution or is the fertilizer contributing to a secondary
reaction? E.g. – incr N & P which incr algae, which
removes oxygen which then kills …
Rubric
The Big Project – Choice A
The Big Project Choice B
Issues
• Tech Savvy
• Topic avoidance
– Usually based on major
• Grade Level bias
– I’ll dispute the research but I have a small sample
– No gender bias
• Work situation
References
Hmelo-silver, C.E., (2004) Problem-based learning: What and How Do Students Learn?.
Educational Psychology Review,16(3), 235-266.
Institute for Global Environmental Strategies. (2009). Earth system Science Alliance
Courses. Retrieved Nov.4, 2012, from http://esseacourses.strategies.org/
Paleontological Research Institution (2010) Museum of the Earth. Retrieved Nov. 4, 2012
from http://www.museumoftheearth.org
Understanding Science. 2012. University of California Museum of Paleontology. 3 January
2012 <http://www.understandingscience.org>.