In today's rapidly advancing world of science and technology, there is an ever increasing need for our educational system to not only adopt, but to also adapt to many of these changes. A significant gap in scientific and technological literacy currently exists between university research, K-12 education, and business/industry science and technology related interests. This gap will rapidly increase without links between these institutions and a movement toward educational reform.

A partnership has been formed between the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (Rosenstiel School), the Dade County Public School (DCPS) system, govermnental organizations, private industry partners, and the local community. The partnership will work collaboratively to bring “hands-on” and “minds-on” inquiry-based learning about relevant marine and environmental science issues, applied use of state-of-the-art technology, and School-to-Work opportunities to the teachers and students of Dade County through a program called Project INSTAR, Investigating Nature through Student-Teacher Active Research. The goal of this partnership is to bridge this research gap by involving academic, business, industry, and community partners in changing and developing new ways in which teachers, students, and schools perceive and approach scientific problem solving skills. Beginning in the fall of the 1997-98 school year, university scientists and graduate students will enter selected Dade County K-12 schools throughout the year to enhance the scientific and technological literacy of the teachers and students by teaching interdisciplinary units about South Florida science issues, current research, and the importance of the environmental linkages between the Everglades, Florida Bay, Biscayne Bay, and the Florida Reef Tract. They will learn about the planning, implementation, and relevance of on-going research projects, as well as future career opportunities in the environmental workforce. In addition to the “hands-on” laboratory experiences and classroom instruction, each school will visit selected field sites during the year that relate to the research projects and issues they will be learning about. Each school will also attain Internet access and become an active participant in the US Department of Commerce Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program. Data will be collected according to GLOBE protocols and can be entered into the international database.

A subgroup of 20 students and teachers from each participating school will partake in the summer Project INSTAR research experience. During the 5-week summer program, the teams will collect data using state-of-the-art equipment, process the data, analyze results, and produce a research report. At the end of the summer program, each team presents their findings in an appropriate forum for parents, community, and educators in scientific presentation for parents, the community, and local science educators.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90937©1998 AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition, Salt Lake City, Utah