Deep Earth Academy -- Live and Near Real Time Connections for K-12 Earth and Ocean Science Classrooms

Since 2005, the U.S. Integrated Ocean Drilling Program's Deep Earth Academy has been taking K-12 teachers, undergraduate faculty and informal science educators to sea for teacher research expeditions aboard the 470' JOIDES Resolution (JR) drill ship. To date, participants have assimilated their learning through the creation of more than 300 student-centered, data-rich activities for classroom use. More than fifty of these activities have been published and are distributed in hard copy and electronic media via deepearthacademy.org and joidesresolution.org. In 2009, Deep Earth Academy initiated live and near real time connections with scientists aboard the JR through video conference techniques, social media, and multi-media facilitated by onboard educators and videographers. Deep Earth Academy will present learning activities and ship-to-shore connections that enhance student understanding and support the K-12 Science Framework.