Sample questions that students can research and answer, based on real evidence
Links to sources of high quality environmental data of many types
Technical tips for downloading those data and summarizing and graphing them from a spreadsheet
A place to Post your results from questions you have investigated using online data
Data are a valuable resource, not only for scientists, but also for the general public. Important environmental and social questions can be explored by examining original data. In this era of an over-abundance of information, it is vital for citizens to be able to seek and evaluate evidence, and to discern whether or not a claim is trustworthy. Is the claim supported by data?
The goal of this web site is to promote opportunities for students to exercise scientific thinking and apply their technological skills to generate evidence-based answers to interesting and real questions. Our focus here is on questions about the environment in Maine and the New England region. However, many of the data links are to national research programs, so this approach will work for teachers, students and other citizens in other regions of North America.
Much of the content of this website was presented as a workshop for teachers during the Summer Academy 2006. The Academy was conducted by the Center for Science and Mathematics Education Research at the University of Maine.
Molly Schauffler, PhD, Dept. of Earth Sciences, Climate Change Institute, and Center for Science and Mathematics Education Research, University of Maine
Medea H. Steinman, MST Candidate, Center for Science and Mathematics Education Research, University of Maine
Beth Owen, MEM, Education Coordinator, Maine Sea Grant, University of Maine
