loading page

Coding in the Geoscience Classroom
  • +1
  • Shelley Olds,
  • Amy Pallant,
  • Kalo Haslem,
  • Becky Reid
Shelley Olds
UNAVCO, Inc. Boulder

Corresponding Author:olds@unavco.org

Author Profile
Amy Pallant
The Concord Consortium, Concord, USA
Author Profile
Kalo Haslem
Capitol Encore Academy
Author Profile
Becky Reid
Cuesta College
Author Profile

Abstract

Many disciplines within the geosciences require computational skills to access, analyze, and visualize data. These are skills students need to be competitive in the work environment. Applying computational thinking and basic coding into the classroom can diversify student learning, develop 21st century skills, and demonstrate real world applications through project based learning. Teaching students to have a broad base of knowledge and a range of skills is paramount in developing career ready-students. Working in collaboration with members of the Earth Science Information Partners (ESIP) Education committee, education professionals from UNAVCO, NOAA, Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies and teachers from schools around the country are exploring the use of basic coding and programmable robots as a springboard to learn computational thinking and skills within an Earth science context. By encouraging teachers to learn how to code, we help them to encourage their students to be creators, more than just consumers, of the technology around us and to foster curiosity that whets their appetites to learn more!. This presentation will elaborate upon coding in the classroom initiatives these partners are facilitating from workshops, learning materials, and insights from workshop feedback.