NSF Biocomplexity Project:

1. NSF Biocomplexity Project: Education Projects… Rob Buirgy, Thompson School District, Loveland, CO

2. The Original Education Vision… “We will share our approach with students, educators, researchers, and local planners through seminars, workshops, and conferences by use of case studies and comparative network applications.”

3. The Project Description… • Criterion Two- Broader Impacts: Our proposed research has several integrated educational and policy components. In terms of education,three high school teacher workshopswill demonstrate the use of web based GIS models to actively engage high school seniors (and their teachers) in Puerto Rico and Colorado in biocomplexity research.

4. The Project Description… • Criterion Two- Broader Impacts: Our proposed research has several integrated educational and policy components. In terms of education,three high school teacher workshopswill demonstrate the use of web based GIS models to actively engage high school seniors (and their teachers) in Puerto Rico and Colorado in biocomplexity research.

5. The Project Description… • Criterion Two- Broader Impacts: Our proposed research has several integrated educational and policy components. In terms of education,three high school teacher workshopswill demonstrate the use of web based GIS models to actively engage high school seniors (and their teachers) in Puerto Rico and Colorado in biocomplexity research.

6. Education Challenges… • Biocomplexity is a ‘complex’ topic

7. River Continuum Concept Flood-Pulse Concept Riverine Productivity Model HEADWATERS LOWLANDS

8. resource supply Resource condition 1 (upsteam condition) consumption Species 1 (upstream consumer) resource loss consumer- independent processing consumer-dependent processing Resource condition 2 (downstream condition) consumption Resource loss Species 2 (downstream consumer)

9. litterfall CPOM consumption Xiphocaris (shredders) export shredder- independent processing shredder-dependent processing FPOM consumption export Atya (collectors)

10. Education Challenges… • Biocomplexity is a ‘complex’ topic • Non-standardized comparisons are difficult

13. Education Challenges… • Biocomplexity is a ‘complex’ topic • Non-standardized comparisons are difficult • Cultural differences are challenging

15. Education Challenges… • Biocomplexity is a ‘complex’ topic • Non-standardized comparisons are difficult • Cultural differences are challenging • Multiple goals are hard to pin down

16. Education Approach… • Key Considerations: • Accessibility • Relevance • Educational • Cultural • Transferability • Feasibility

17. Education Proposal… • Deliverables: • 1. Description and access to information databases for BT and PR watersheds • 2. Standardized template for “State of the Watershed” report (Murphy, USGS) • 3. Classroom activities: data collection, GIS projects, virtual tours and field site visits • 4. Watershed assessments based on “State of the Watershed” reports for BT and PR • 5. Biocomplexity education webpage • 6. GIS- and web-based watershed assessment projects • 7. Summer workshops to encourage collaboration between BT and PR teachers

18. Education Proposal… • Deliverables: • 1. Information databases • 2. Standardized template • 3. Classroom activities • 4. Watershed assessments • 5. Education webpage • 6. Projects • 7. Summer workshops

19. Education Proposal… • Example … • 1. Information databases… Angie Henn, CSU Graduate Student

20. Education Proposal… • Discussion: “Teacher Training Modules…”