Education and Outreach For The Regional Arctic System Model (RASM)

1. University of Texas at El Paso, TX. USA Education and Outreach For The Regional Arctic System Model (RASM) Bill Robertson, Ph.D. (robertson@utep.edu) Associate Professor College of Education The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP)

2. University of Texas at El Paso, TX. USA An Alternative Proposal • At modest cost (~3 to 4% of budget), we can support a professional science educator (with experience in polar science) to do the following: • Involve undergraduates and K-12 students and teachers in teaching, training, and learning • Broaden the participation of underrepresented groups (UTEP student body is >70% Hispanic; a majority are the first in their families to attend college) • Promote science literacy in the general public • Convey the excitement of our science • In this way we distinguish our proposal from the crowd. • If successful, we will (naturally) have a broader impact.

3. University of Texas at El Paso, TX. USA Problem-Based Learning • Inquiry-based approach • A process curriculum • Acquiring critical knowledge • Developing proficiency in problem solving • Engaging in self-directed learning • Participating in collaborative teams

4. University of Texas at El Paso, TX. USA Previous Education Efforts Integrating Polar Science Modeling NSF-IPY: Development of a Community Ice Sheet Model with specific applications to abrupt change in the Amundsen Sea Embayment • Ice sheet models as a basis for educating “a new generation” of climate scientists • 2-3 Week PBL Unit - High School Materials for Students and Teachers that reflects real life situations. • Use of computer modeling software (EduISIS) to learn polar science at a more conceptual level • Development of a Community Ice Sheet Model • http://websrv.cs.umt.edu/isis/index.php/Outreach