Using Geospatial Technology to Enhance Science Teaching and Learning: A Case Study for ‘SATELLITES’ Geo-science Program

This paper describes how researchers and teachers have developed ways of embedding the ‘SATELLITES’ geo-science and technology education program into K-12 classrooms, to enhance science teaching and learning. SATELLITES (Students And Teachers Exploring Local Landscapes to Interpret The Earth from Space) is a professional development program aimed at enhancing handson science and technology education in a wide range of thematic areas, including Earth and Space Science, Geography, Environmental Science, Biology and Physics. Since the Program’s beginning in 1998, hundreds of teachers have attended intensive summer professional development Institutes in Earth Science and Technology content, project–based learning (PBL), and student inquiry. By leveraging the GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) Program’s outreach and education resources, thousands of students from across the US and several other countries have participated in SATELLITES. The assessments performed on the efficacy of the program have clearly showed a positive change in teachers’ level and quality of knowledge in geo-technologies and related natural sciences and in students’ engagement in science and comprehension of science concepts. The experience gained throughout the program’s long life has allowed the development and implementation of guidelines and recommendations to address emerging challenges. These experiences, together with the effective overall performance of the program create an important potential to expand its impact, by building capacity in more areas of the country or in other countries, where geospatial technologies have not yet been systematically introduced in the school environment.