EARTH SCIENCE IDEASEARTH SCIENCE IDEAS  

Based on the California State Standards in Earth ScienceBased on the California State Standards in Earth Science

Superdirt.orgSuperdirt.org

A Jason K. Smith ProjectA Jason K. Smith ProjectSan Marcos High SchoolSan Marcos High School

UCSB RET 2UCSB RET 2

Earth ScienceEarth Science

The study of anything on or off the Earth

Superdirt.orgSuperdirt.org

It’s more than a web site

It’s a way of life What is it? A fully integrated standards based experiential and cross-

curricular learning portal which utilizes and employs a wide variety of learning modalities to enhance the educational experience

Superdirt.orgSuperdirt.orgInnovative ThinkingInnovative Thinking

More than just the best web site on the net Site provides a framework for students and teachers Easy access to web based material without distractions*

– “One click” access to web sites of interest ( it is google-free)– No more “Ok class everyone type in www.kladsfklsfkljs.com, now

click blah blah blah” and twenty hands go up

Virtual Collaboration between seasoned and green teachers– Allows new teachers access to ideas from their colleagues– Allows seasoned teachers to continue innovating vs. hand-holding

Teacher can modify site as needed

Grade Level AppropriateGrade Level Appropriate

Earth Science is geared toward lower level freshmen (The material presented is cutting edge, the choice of words used to present it gives students “access” to the curriculum)

First science class into which IEP’s are “mainstreamed”

The Site That Keeps on GivingThe Site That Keeps on Giving

The site contains activities pertaining to standards taught throughout the year

Students will utilize the site on a continuing basis

Student Assessment Student Assessment

Students follow a Daily schedule of:– a test on “last night’s reading” and yesterday’s concepts– New vocabulary and concept frontloading for activity– An activity with a reading and writing assignment ( a test)– A lecture/ discussion reviewing the activity and presenting new

concepts ( with demonstrations, demos. etc. .) – Multimedia to drive the point home– A test on the lecture, multimedia, vocabulary and concepts

covered– ( Activity and multimedia can be substituted with computer lab)– Bell rings

Measuring Achievement Measuring Achievement

– In short, students will produce a wide range of assessable information running the gamet from formal tests to kinesthetic activities demonstrating their comprehension of the material and validating the success of the teacher or lack thereof

Pilot Project ProgressPilot Project Progress

Is Superdirt.org doing its job– How will I know

Do labs flow more easily Is less time wasted during computer assignments Are students more focused and engaged Do I get less hands raised when giving directions on

assignments Has overall comprehension gone up on in-class tests Does the overall API go up year over year

Superdirt.orgSuperdirt.org

Is the framework for a utopian society which will one day encompass all aspects of Earth science and eventually lead to complete and total world domination.

This is a work in progress

Superdirt.orgSuperdirt.orgMultimediaMultimedia

Pulse Planet

Hot Towers

Upper Atmosphere

Earth Space Images

Special ThanksSpecial Thanks for their dedication to enhancing the learning for their dedication to enhancing the learning

experienceexperience

Dr. Martina MichenfelderFrank KinnamanMelanie PearlmanUCSB and the MRL staffNSF for making it all possible

The End is NearThe End is Near

Let’s take a tour Superdirt.orgSuperdirt.org hard copy

The EndThe End