SCEC INSTANeT News
	Robert de Groot: Seismic Sleuths Curriculum and Video / ShakeZone Exhibit

Robert de Groot is the Special Projects Consultant for the CEO office at the Southern California Earthquake Center.  Mr. de Groot brings with him nearly eight years of classroom experience in secondary and college settings. His work as an educator is enhanced by three years of program design experience with The California Science Center and Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. His work has also taken him into the lab and the field to study stratospheric ice clouds, river ecology, enzyme biochemistry, and most recently the faults of the Los Angeles region. Mr. de Groot holds an MA in Teaching with an emphasis in Chemistry from Northern Arizona University. He is currently completing an MS in Science Education with a focus in Earth Science at the University of Southern California.He designs and implements science education programs in formal and informal educational settings. For the Earthquake Preparedness for Schools Symposium, Mr. de Groot described the programs he is currently managing: 1) A redesign of Seismic Sleuths, an earthquake education curriculum for grades 7-12 originally developed by FEMA and the American Geophysical Union. 2) Content and pedagogy consultation for an earthquake television program based on Seismic Sleuths scheduled to air in the coming year on The Learning Channel. View a video clip (2 minutes, 17 seconds) from the presentation (Real Player required) 3) Development of a multi-media earthquake exhibit at the Riverside County Youth Museum. View a video clip (1 minute, 58 seconds) from the presentation (Real Player required) Seismic Sleuths 2001: Revision of Tool of Scientific Literacy and a Renewal of Outreach Partnerships at the Southern California Earthquake Center A renewed and expanded partnership across academe, government, and industry in order to tap the multi-disciplinary nature of Earth Science. What is Seismic Sleuths? - A six unit earthquake education curriculum for grades 7 - 12 - Developed jointly by AGU and FEMA and published in 1995 Seismic Sleuths provides tools for students to prepare for earthquakes and other natural disasters that may interrupt their lives. Original Project Staff Included - Classroom teachers - Research scientists - Pedagogical specialists - AGU staff - FEMA staff According to the authors, Seismic Sleuths is inquiry driven (inquiry-based, constructivist). There is a chance to do library research, role-play, and integrate different subject areas (non-science) throughout the book. Summary of Materials Unit:    Major Topics: 1. Pre-assessment of earthquake knowledge, community officials involved with disaster support 2. Earth science (e.g. geologic time, paleoseismology), role of geology and severity of hazards 3. Earthquake waves, development of modern seismology, past ideas about Earth Science (e.g. continental drift), measurement of seismic waves 4. Building response to earthquakes, mitigation, construct and test several structures 5. Preparedness and safety (before and after an earthquake), historical accounts of damaging earthquakes 6. Summary of program, role-playing activity, disaster simulation, quiz game How to order the current version of Seismic Sleuths: Toll Free Number: 800.480.2520 Mailing Address: P.O. Box: 2012, Jessup, MD. 20794-2012 Web: www.fema.gov or www.fema.gov/kids/femapub.htm   In 1999, NSF funded a revision of the curriculum under the direction of SCEC.   Features of Seismic Sleuths 2001 A Doorway. . . Harness the power of the World Wide Web - A stronger link to current research and controversies in Earth Science A permanent Seismic Sleuths home page to support the full downloadable curriculum package. - A constant update tool for educators. - A tool to customize Seismic Sleuths for a variety of learning environments - A place to contribute other earthquake activities not found in the curriculum. An "All Hazards" Emphasis What is Changing? Units will be streamlined Material removed from the main body of the text will be placed in an Additional Resources Section Significant emphasis on the electronic version as a support for the printed version Units on Geodesy and Risk (Web-Based) A Video (possible series) to support the curriculum   Seismic Sleuths: The Video View a video clip (2 minutes, 17 seconds) from Mr. de Groot's presentation on this topic (Real Player required) A 60-minute video program based on the Seismic Sleuths Curriculum Scheduled to air on Discovery Channel's Assignment Discovery in 2000 A 30-minute version of the program will air on The Learning Channel Elementary School   Features of the Video 1. An overview of the entire curriculum (advance organizer) 2. A supplement to the curriculum 3. Controversy in Earth Science (e.g. prediction and forecast of natural disasters) 4. Conveys the human experience from the standpoint of victims of disasters to the practitioners of Earth Science 5. Provoke thought and personal involvement 6. Nature of Science (e.g. What are the limits of science?)   SCEC/KidZone Earthquake Exhibit: Shakezone View a video clip (1 minute, 58 seconds) from Mr. de Groot's presentation on this topic (Real Player required)   KidZone is the Riverside County Youth Museum. It is located in downtown Riverside. Mission of the KidZone Earthquake Exhibit To reach the local community, particularly elementary and secondary school children, with positive messages about studying the Earth and preparing for earthquakes; to provide a global to local perspective of how the earth changes; to promote empowerment of citizens by providing information and instruction regarding safety and mitigation; to motivate individuals to be active in hazard preparedness in their local communities. Relevance Empowerment Literacy   The KidZone Earthquake Exhibit will focus on: - The Science of Earthquakes - Earthquake Engineering - Safety and Mitigation It will be: 1. A resource for the community - Easy access to current and accurate information 2. A venue for educators - Professional development - An exhibit that will support state/national standards 3. A place for students of all ages - Inspire interest in science - Learn about scientific processes 4. A center for earthquake education in southern California 5. Serve as a model for other earthquake exhibits Features of the Exhibit 1. Interactive Displays 2. A Shake Table 3. Computer Simulations 4. Earthquake Activities 5. Current Events Board   Acknowledgements (all activities above): NSF Southern California Earthquake Center -Jill Andrews/Thomas Henyey AGU - Frank Ireton FEMA - Elizabeth Lemersal New Mexico Bureau of Mines - Dave Love University of Southern California Department of Earth Sciences - James Dolan

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