Open AccessNew science education initiative brings seismology into the classroom
Author(s) -
Hamburger Michael W.,
Pavlis Gary L.,
Phinney Robert A.,
Steinberg Daniel,
Owens Thomas J.,
HallWallace Michelle
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
eos, transactions american geophysical union
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.316
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 2324-9250
pISSN - 0096-3941
DOI - 10.1029/eo082i024p00266
Subject(s) - curiosity , premise , natural (archaeology) , science education , seismometer , mathematics education , sociology , political science , engineering ethics , engineering , geography , seismology , pedagogy , epistemology , geology , psychology , archaeology , social psychology , philosophy
Prince Galitsin's invention of the electromagnetic seismograph in 1914 revolutionized the young science of seismology. Now, the venerable research instrument is proving to have an equally powerful impact—in the arena of public education. Over the past 5 years, a number of initiatives have extended the boundaries of seismology research outside the ivory towers of research institutions and into America's schools, museums, and teaching colleges. These initiatives are built on the premise that educational seismology offers a special opportunity for capturing students' innate curiosity for natural phenomena in the world around them, and that this curiosity can be used to teach a wealth of fundamental principles of physics and Earth science. These school‐based seismograph stations, now numbering in the hundreds, are demonstrating a growing potential to contribute both to science education and scientific research.