Fault System Evolution - SOAR-high partnership

This NSF sponsored project aims to integrate research on fault system evolution at the University of Masschusetts - Amherst with earth science learning at high schools for the deaf through the SOAR-high web-based collaboration program.

The project participants hope to foster student interest in solid-earth science through hands-on activities and involvement with professional researchers.

University of Massachusetts GEO 431 Structure Class 2006

Model Secondary School for the Deaf honors earth science class 2005

Description of curriculum modules, exercises and activities

• Growth of faults within a sandbox

• Faults in the Field: May 26-31, 2005
field trip to active and ancient faults in Utah
student authored travel log with photos
Video by Teresa Huckleberry about the sandbox and the Utah trip: web resolution (43 MB) and CD resolution (163 MB)

• Faults in the Field 2006: May 3-6, 2006
field trip to ancient geologic structure in western Massachusetts and Vermont
student authored travel log with photos (in English and Spanish)

• Assessment project 2005: Do these sandbox exercises increase the self-efficacy of deaf students for choosing careers in science?

• 2008 Faults in the Field trip

• Videocoferences between high school classes and UMass researchers
photos

• Assessment project 2007: Do sandbox exercises facilitate learning?

• Assessment Project 2008: What is the impact of the project on teachers and their teaching

Participants

Geologists signing 'Earth' in Utah 2005

The UMass research team: Principal Investigator: Dr. Michele L. Cooke (second from right) Postdoctoral Researcher: Dr. Mario Del Castello (third from left) Research Assistant: Scott T. Marshall (rightmost) Research Assistant: J. Ryan Shackleton (not pictured) Research Assistant: Laura Dair (not pictured)

Educators of the Deaf:

• Model Secondary School for the Deaf: Mary Ellsworth and Kamilla Joskowiak
• Gaulladet University: Dr. Henry David Snyder
• Indiana School for the Deaf: Theresa Huckleberry
• Iowa School for the Deaf: Michael George
• University High School, Irvine: Chris Gonzales
• North Carolina School for the Deaf: Janna Lollis

Fabulous People

Career-Efficacy Assessment: Dr. Patricia Jepson, University of Connecticut
2008 Field Trip Organizer: Erin Dominov
Teaching Impact Assessment: Will Snyder and Allan Feldman, University of Massachusetts

Field Trip Leaders:

• Utah 2005: Dr. James Evans, Utah State University
• 2005 Utah: Dr. John Solum, US Geological Survey (leftmost in picture above)
• 2005 Utah: Valentina Gallaso, field trip organization (third from right in picture above)
• 2005 Utah: Del Wynn, MSSD Science department chair and field trip den mother
• 2006 Western New England: Dr. Brita Graham, US Geological Survey
• 2005 Utah & 2006 Western New England: Scotty Salamoff, MS Colorado State now at Chevron (second from left in picture above)
• 2006 Western New England: Ella Graham, field trip den mother