Grant Helps CWU Promote Science Education In The Pacific Norhtwest

March 26, 2008

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Central Washington University received a grant in the amount of $162,000 from the National Science Foundation to support the professional development of earth science teachers in the Pacific Northwest. The project, "Teachers on the Leading Edge (TOTLE): Linking K-12 Earth Science Teachers to EarthScope," is a collaborative effort with the University of Portland, Portland Community College and Pacific Lutheran University. Dr. Beth Pratt-Sitaula, CWU assistant professor in geological sciences and science education, will serve as lead instructor and primary program coordinator for the two years the project is operating out of Washington state.

The National Science Foundation's EarthScope program is funding the project, which has a total budget of $447,703. The goal of EarthScope, a ten-year program, is to explore the structure of the North American continent and advance the understanding of processes that control earthquakes and volcanoes. An array of seismic stations (USArray) and a network of global positioning receivers (Plate Boundary Observatory) are currently monitoring deformation and seismicity in the Pacific Northwest. According to Pratt-Sitaula, geoscientists use EarthScope data to advance the understanding of the active continental margin at "the leading edge" of our continent.

For the next three years, TOTLE will offer five-day summer workshops for K-12 earth science teachers and community college professors. Through a problem-solving approach to active continental margin geology, teachers will learn how geoscientists developed our current understanding of Pacific Northwest plate tectonics, earthquakes and volcanoes, and how EarthScope research is advancing frontiers of knowledge. Workshop participants will experience three days in the classroom studying active continental margin geology and EarthScope science and two days in the field investigating great earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic hazards in the Pacific Northwest.

"TOTLE provides an example of coordination between K-12 science teachers, university science educators, and federal and state government scientists to develop a science education program that preserves the authenticity of cutting-edge research while making that science inviting, accessible and useful to K-12 teachers and students," said Pratt-Sitaula.

Workshops the first year will be held at the University of Portland for Oregon educators. The following two years they will be held at Pacific Lutheran University for Washington educators. Participating teachers will receive graduate credit from CWU.

Media Contact:
Dr. Beth Pratt-Sitaula, CWU geological sciences, psitaula@geology.cwu.edu, 509-963-2870
Teri Olin, CWU Public Relations and Marketing, 509-963-1493, olint@cwu.edu

Central Washington University is a master's degree-granting institution with approximately 10,000 students and 1,500 faculty and staff. More than 160 undergraduate and master's degrees are offered. Founded in 1891, the Ellensburg campus is located in the heart of Washington State, nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River. Since 1975, CWU has served the needs of place bound students at six university centers throughout the state. CWU is an AA/EEO Title IX Institution.