Why does the earth look the way it does?

 

welcome to real earth systems science & VIRTUALFIELDWORK.ORG

Why does the river change direction at the falls? 

Why is the river so flat above the falls?

Why is Earth a nearly perfect sphere? 

Why does this place look the way it does?

ReaL Earth System Science is a project of the Paleontological Research Institution and its Museum of the Earth that helps teachers teach Regional and Local Earth system science using an inquiry approach.  The project is grounded in the idea of using the local environment to understand the global environment. 


How do we do that?  Our approach includes the following:

  1. BulletWe are developing a series of Teacher Friendly Guides (TFGs) to all regions of the United States.  More information about TFGs and the already completed Northeast and Southeast Guide are available at teacherfriendlyguide.org.

  2. BulletWe design and implement teacher professional development programs that are well informed by best practices research in learning, teaching and the nature of effective science teacher professional development.

  3. BulletWe work with teachers as they create Virtual Fieldwork Experiences (VFEs) and take their students to actual field sites. 

  4. BulletEarth System Science Big Ideas shape our work in all of the above. 


ReaL ESS is a project of the Paleontological Research Institution, its Museum of the Earth in Ithaca, New York and the National Science Foundation.   

http://museumoftheearth.org
http://nsf.gov

WHAT’S NEW?

  1. •A DRAFT template for simplifying the creation of Virtual Fieldwork Experiences is now available for review.  It’s available in three formats: HTML, Keynote, and PowerPoint.  There are some formatting issues in PowerPoint.  (Updated 2/4/10)

  2. •Improved table of contents on the How Tos page!  (11/5/09)

  3. •Geological Society of America and Science Teachers’ Association of New York State annual meeting session materials for Bigger Ideas and VFEs are available here.  (11/4/09)

  4. •Mapping Earth Systems. Compare US maps of climate, geology and biomes.  (9/19/09)

  5. •Tutorial on Adding Image Overlays in Google Earth (9/12/09)

  6. •Data and Map Sources Page.  Where to find geologic and topographic maps and climate data.(added 8/29/09)

  7. •Site Map!  It’s now easier to find your way around virtualfieldwork.org!  (added 7/22/09)

  8. •VFE Resources Page. Things you need and need to know to make your own VFEs.  (updated 9/9/09)