The Earth Scientist

Current Issue

This special Themed issue of The Earth Scientist, sponsored by The Pennsylvania State University TESSE Team, features the work of some of the middle and high school teachers, and graduate and undergraduate students who have participated in PSU’s TESSE program over the past three years. 

TESSE – Transforming Earth System Science Education – is a collaborative project among scientists and educators from the University of New Hampshire, Dillard University, Elizabeth City State University, and the Pennsylvania State University. This multi-year project is funded by the National Science Foundation (Award #0631377). In-service middle school and high school teachers enroll in a graduate-level course that includes an extended summer residential workshop focused on Earth System Science content and inquiry-based pedagogy. The summer workshop involves the active participation of pre-service teachers and graduate students majoring in an Earth Science-related field. Following the summer workshop, the graduate students act as science content experts, partnering with the in-service teachers for the academic year. The graduate students and teachers work as a team to develop and implement hands-on curricular materials and assessment vehicles. This partnership enriches the professional capabilities of the graduate students and the teachers in complementary ways, strengthening both current and future members of the educational workforce in this critical area.

The teachers and students whose works appear in this journal come from across the state of Pennsylvania and include veteran and new Earth Science teachers at both private and public schools. We are so proud to present the creative efforts of the Penn State TESSE Team, and hope you will enjoy their innovative and creative contributions!