Challenge

Climate change is affecting weather patterns, human infrastructure, and natural ecosystems. In Maine, the Gulf of Maine has warmed faster than 99 percent of the global ocean, likely due to climate change.

Through the NASA-funded Real World, Real Science (RWRS) project, EDC’s Oceans of Data Institute has partnered with the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) to re-invent their LabVenture experience for fifth- and sixth-grade students. LabVenture focuses on the use of authentic data—including data from NASA and NOAA—to explore the effects of climate change on the Gulf of Maine ecosystem. Through classroom-ready modules, students build on what they learned during LabVenture to study additional local climate change impacts in Maine.

Key Activities

The project is carrying out the following activities:

  • Work with GMRI to develop a new learning experience focused on climate change in the Gulf of Maine for the LabVenture Program at the Cohen Center for Interactive Learning
  • Create classroom-ready, data-focused curriculum modules on the effect of climate change on Maine’s habitats
  • Evaluate the data and climate learning outcomes of students who participate in the LabVenture experience and who use the classroom modules
  • Document students’ thinking about data and climate
  • Describe the development of a data-focused science center community of practice among New England science and technology centers (STCs)

Impact

  • The LabVenture program reaches over 250 classroom teachers from across Maine each year and engages at least 25 teachers in professional development.
  • EDC developed seven classroom modules that enable fifth- and sixth-grade students to explore different Maine ecosystems using scientific data. During the 2019-20 school year, the modules were used with 20 teachers and nearly 300 students.
  • EDC’s evaluation examined data from nearly 300 students from 17 classrooms who attended LabVenture and used the classroom modules. Students demonstrated significant gains in data skills and understanding of climate impacts on the Gulf of Maine.
  • The evaluation team worked with GMRI leadership to inform the development of a community of practice among STCs, resulting in new data-focused activities for informal science contexts.
  • The EDC and GMRI teams presented papers and posters at conferences, including the 2021 annual conference of the National Association for Research on Science Teaching (NARST) and the 2021 annual conference of the American Geophysical Union (AGU).
  • GMRI was funded to build upon this work and create connected learning ecosystems  for youth, which include authentic scientific data sets and cultural and historical knowledge. EDC is conducting the evaluation of this work

Learn More

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DURATION
2016–Present
FUNDED BY
NASA
PARTNERS

Gulf of Maine Research Institute

Bodies of Work 
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