Designing Geospatial Exploration Activities to Build Hydrology Understanding in Middle School Students

Phil Vahey, Louise Yarnall, Karen Swan

In the "Thinking with Data" unit, 7th-grade students used real-world data to learn core concepts and topics in four subjects. This chapter focuses on using geospatial maps in science. We designed activities that gave students map-based data relevant to the water cycle processes of evaporation, condensation, runoff, and infiltration. We wanted students to generate informal and causal explanations about the water cycle’s role in water distribution and salt pollution. In designing map activities, researchers applied the Preparation for Future Learning (PFL) framework and used layered and parallel data representations. Students used both everyday knowledge and scientific knowledge fragments to answer key questions, but the teacher did not link the students’ reasoning to water cycle concepts. We discuss implications for materials design in light of teacher professional development.

Projects Referenced

Research Areas

Evaluation
Learning Environments

Keywords 

data literacy
preparation for future learning
thinking with data

Citation 

Yarnall, L., Vahey, P. and Swan, K. (in preparation). Designing Geospatial Exploration Activities to Build Hydrology Understanding in Middle School Students. To appear in Teaching Science and Investigating Environmental Issues with Geospatial Technology: Designing Effective Professional Development for Teachers.