Graduate Research Papers

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Graduate Research Paper (UNI Access Only)

Keywords

Climatic changes--Study and teaching (Secondary); Curriculum planning;

Abstract

The goal of my Masters Project is to develop an integrated unit over climate change topics that utilizes three dimensional learning. The focus of this unit is to challenge pre-conceptions about climate change to better prepare students for adult decisions they will inevitably need to make to help preserve our planet in the future. The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) that are being integrated into this unit are HS-ESS2-2, HS-ESS2-4, HS-LS2-1 and HS-LS2-2 (Achieve Inc., 2013a). By integrating life science and earth science standards, students will understand the broader, interconnected nature of the four spheres of Earth and the effects of climate change on living organisms that help hold the Earth in balance. This unit uses the Adélie Penguin as the anchoring phenomena and culminates in a research project studying other endangered species whose numbers have dwindled as a direct result of climate change.

Results from the Climate Change Concept Inventory (CCCI) were used to determine the impact this unit had on challenging misconceptions about climate change. The EQuIP rubric judged the utilization of three dimensional learning and alignment to the NGSS. The CCCI shows an overall decrease of the prior misconceptions students had about climate change after completing the created unit. No students gained misconceptions about climate change after completing the unit. The EQuIP rubric shows a strong alignment to the NGSS and three dimensional learning. The EQuIP rubric was also utilized for notes on future improvements and edits to the unit.

Year of Submission

2021

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Education

Department

Science Education Program

First Advisor

Jill Maroo, Advisor

Date Original

2021

Object Description

1 PDF file (136 pages)

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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