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

Bill Robertson, Ph.D.(robertson@utep.edu)Associate ProfessorCollege of EducationThe University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP)

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.

University of Texas at El Paso, TX. USA

Problem-Based Learning

University of Texas at El Paso, TX. USA

• Inquiry-based approach • A process curriculum• Acquiring critical

knowledge• Developing proficiency

in problem solving • Engaging in self-directed

learning• Participating in

collaborative teams

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

University of Texas at El Paso, TX. USA

• 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