Print this pageEducating "Future Generations" about Energy Issues and Other Earth Science Topics
BARBER, MARSHA, A.
The Denver Earth Science Project (DESP) is a K-12 curriculum development effort coordinated by the Colorado School of Mines. In partnership with corporations, federal agencies, school districts, and professional organizations, a series of educational "modules" addressing a range of earth science topics is being developed. The modules deal with critical issues facing society and are prepared by trained curriculum development teams composed of experienced earth science teachers and practicing scientists.
The Denver Earth Science Project currently has four modules available: (1.) Oil and Gas Exploration (grades 7-12); (2) Ground Water Studies (grades 7-9); (3) Paleontology and Dinosaurs (grades 7-10); and (4) Energy: A Closer Look at Oil and Gas (grades 4-6).
Each module is accompanied by a teacher resource kit which includes all of the materials (seismic sections, crude oil samples, dinosaur models, maps, ground water models, audio-visual materials, etc.) necessary to successfully teach the module concepts to students.
Teachers are able to obtain the module notebook and teacher resource kit by attending a teacher training workshop. The workshop provides teachers an opportunity to actively participate in the module activities, attend special lectures by geologists, hydrologists, paleontologists, and geophysicists, and apply learned concepts on a local field trip to a drilling rig, contaminated ground water site, or dinosaur trackway. With appropriate financial support, workshops can be offered nationwide.