Pennsylvania Science Standards are supported by AMS Educational Initiatives

The Department of Education of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is still, as of this writing, in the process of approving standards for the science curricula in the state. The standards were based on the National Science Standards with a few modifications in both content and structure. Four broad areas will encompass the content involved: Science, Technology, Environmental Science and Ecology.

The Pennsylvania Standards follow the National Standards with an increase in some content areas, such as agriculture, and an increase in the planned depth and breadth of understanding in most areas. The new direction is very comprehensive.

The existing standards for language arts and mathematics are assessed at the fifth, eighth and eleventh grades with exit standards also identified. Due to the extent of testing, it was determined that additional assessments in those grades were not advisable, so the science standards will be assessed at the end of the fourth, seventh and tenth grades. Exit standards will also be identified for graduating seniors.

This paper will present the standards met or enhanced by the instruction included in the new "Water in The Earth System" online course for educators. The course will focus on the sciences of oceanography, meteorology and hydrology in a systematic and comprehensive approach. Earth systems, physics, oceanography, environmental sciences, ecology, space science and satellite technology are a few of the topics touched on in the course.

It is important in today's environment in education to be able to demonstrate how a course of study, text book, or any supplement to the available programs, will assist with meeting the standards approved by larger entities. "The Water In The Earth System" program, just like the DataStreme course before it, will train teachers in the concepts in an online course with a human twist. The students will meet several times during the course with their mentors and members of the local implementation team. Each team is made up of teachers and professionals in the field and focused within regions around the United States.

All of the educators involved in t WES will receive a unified model of instruction and the knowledge needed to implement that model in their own individual districts.

With the increased demand of required teacher knowledge in this area of the Earth sciences, the WES Program provides the needed professional skills to meet the national and state requirements for teachers.