Earth System Science Education at Florida Institute of Technology
Michael R. Witiw
George Maul
Julie Eardley
Florida Institute of Technology
With the inauguration of NASA’s Mission to Planet Earth (recently renamed the Earth Science Enterprise), a need was seen for education from the elementary through university level in the newly designated discipline, Earth system science. Earth system science views the earth system holistically. The various earth’s spheres (atmosphere, cosmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, biosphere and anthrosphere) are each studied, along with their relation to all other spheres. Numerous earth orbiting satellites are planned as part of this program, each carrying more than one sensor, collecting data on various aspects of the earth system. From ozone concentrations and sea surface temperatures to land use and ice cover, numerous attributes of the earth system are already being observed or will be measured in the near future. As part of this program, NASA maintains a strong educational component. With the tremendous amount of data expected, a cadre of well prepared scientists are needed to analyze them. There is a need for education on the earth system for all, not just scientists. Lawyers, business people, engineers and others should have a knowledge of the earth system and how their activities may affect it, and this learning should begin in the elementary grades. At the elementary and high school levels, NASA established programs like the Classroom of the Future (COTF), where educational modules on such topics as ozone depletion and El Nino are designed and made available via the internet. At the university level, NASA, through the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) has funded 44 universities to develop courses in Earth System Science. Florida Institute of Technology was one of the schools selected in 1995 to participate in the Earth System Science Education (ESSE) program. Our efforts began with a presentation to the Space Coast chapter of the AMS, and a day-long workshop for district teachers. Since that time, three courses have been developed. In the spring of 1996, we offered a graduate course for teachers. This course was funded by the Brevard County, Florida School District. Then, in the 1997-1998 school year, we developed two courses. The Whole Earth Course was a freshman level course and Earth System Science for Scientists and Engineers was a senior level course. It explored global warming and climate prediction. In all courses, the uncertainties surrounding global change and prediction were explored. Student response to each of these course was enthusiastic.