Authentic field experiences for STEM teachers: Collecting Florida fossils

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>The extensive sedimentary sequence of Florida preserves evidence of prehistoric life spanning some 40 million years into the past. This paper describes the results of a three-pronged professional development (PD) program conducted in November 2019 in which Florida teachers from eight counties gained knowledge and experience about the process and content of paleontology at an active field research site in northern Florida. Working alongside scientists, 15 elementary, middle, and high school teachers collected 5-million-year-old fossil vertebrates and made scientifically important discoveries that advance understanding of Florida’s prehistoric life. The PD included three components: (1) a pre-trip webinar; (2) a morning tour of our museum exhibits to scaffold teacher’s understanding of the kinds of fossils they would find; and (3) the actual day-long field experience collecting fossils. A post-PD evaluation revealed gains in knowledge about, and experience with, fossils and paleontology. We also found that overall satisfaction with the PD underscored the importance of each of the three components supporting one-another—resulting in a more informative and rewarding learning experience for the participants. Fossils and the science of paleontology are a gateway for STEM learning and this subject and its extensions are applicable to existing standards in earth and life sciences at many grade levels.</jats:p>

Impacts of the STEM Teacher and Researcher (STAR) Program on Teachers, Students, and Classrooms

“…Research on TREs illustrates many positive outcomes for teachers completing these programs. Such benefits include improved self-efficacy, enhanced understandings of the nature of science and inquiry, better science content knowledge, refined or extended teaching practices, and greater knowledge of science practices (Evans & Crippen, 2020;Feldman & Ozalp, 2009;MacFadden et al, 2020;Southerland et al, 2016). However, research has also documented challenges in identifying Impacts of the STEM Teacher and Researcher (STAR)…”

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“…At the FLMNH, the FOSSIL project reports that field trips and fieldwork is one of the most prominent shared interests between amateur and professional paleontologists amongst their online community (Crippen et al, 2015b). An authentic paleontological field experience hosted by the FLMNH permitted 15 local K-12 educators to excavate for extinct fauna at the Montbrook Fossil Site in Florida and proved to be an impactful professional development with rewarding learning experiences (MacFadden et al, 2020). Similarly, creating quality VFTs is an effective way to foster amateurs', students', and the public's interest(s) in geoscience research.…”