Meeting Abstract
P3.126 Tuesday, Jan. 6 Taking It to the Streets: SEAS Mobile Laboratory Exposes Students to the Excitement of Ocean Science Research TANKERSLEY, R.A.*; WINDSOR, J.G.; Florida Institute of Technology; Florida Institute of Technology rtankers@fit.edu
The Integrated Science Teaching Enhancement Partnership (InSTEP) is part of the NSF’s Graduate Teaching Fellowships in K-12 Education (GK-12) Program and is designed to foster student interest in science while boosting teacher confidence in science content and inquiry-based instruction. Each year, graduate students from Florida Techs science departments are matched with local high school teachers to design and pilot a series of lesson plans linking core content areasEarth science, biology, chemistry and physics. To support field-based activities, InSTEP recently renovated a 35 ft recreational vehicle that serves as a mobile laboratory (Science Exploration at Sea – SEAS Lab). SEAS seeks to improve ocean literacy by exposing students to the tools and techniques used by marine scientists. The lab also gives schools access to equipment and resources they would otherwise be unable to afford. The lab can accommodate up to 12 students and includes 22 ft of bench space, five computers, a GPS unit, filtered seawater, and a multi-sensor weather station. The lab also contains state-of-the-art research equipment for conducting experiments and analyzing samples at local field sites, including microscopes, balances, sampling gear, water test kits, multi-probe meters, and spectrophotometers. On-board computers have access to online resources, including real-time data available through Floridas Coastal Ocean Observing System. Imaging hardware and software associated with the microscopes enable students to capture and analyze still images and video. Three one-day modules focusing on the biology of horseshoe crabs, feeding adaptations of marine organisms, and coastal weather are currently being developed and piloted. Supported by NSF Grant Nos. DGE 0440529 and 0638702.
