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Urban Field Geology for K-8 Teachers

Geologists have long appreciated the value of field trips. Likewise, the National Science Education Standards recommend them for K-8 science curriculum. Yet, few teachers avail themselves of quality field opportunities close to home. We presented summer institutes for urban teachers in Milwaukee that centered on several Lake Michigan beaches within the bounds of their school district. Field and laboratory activities were developed in the context of the geology of southeastern Wisconsin. As an example activity, we compared the sand from four different beaches for grain size, magnetite content, as well as fossil and modern Zebra Mussel shells. The different beaches show different characteristics that were related to their location and origin. We encouraged the good field trip teaching practices of “Teaming-Up,” reducing novelty space, and pre- and post-field trip activities. The teachers shared lesson plans and developed action plans for implementing the changes in their curriculum. We determined that the teachers in these three-week workshops increased their personal belief in their ability to teach earth science more effectively. They felt more comfortable with content material and found that action plans were an effective way to enact change regarding field trips in their curriculum and in their schools.