Education & Outreach: From Local to EXtreme Environments (FLEXE)
From Local to EXtreme Environments (FLEXE) is an innovative R2K education outreach project that engages middle and high school students in analyses and comparisons of environmental data. As a featured project of the international GLOBE science education program, FLEXE partners Ridge 2000 scientists with education specialists to bring deep-sea science to the international GLOBE network. GLOBE currently has partners, country coordinators, trainers, and teachers in 109 countries, and has been implemented in over 17,000 schools involving 31,000 teachers and over one million students worldwide.
Through FLEXE, students collect and analyze data from various sources, including the multi-year GLOBE database, deep-sea scientific research projects, and direct measurements of the local environment collected by students using GLOBE sampling protocols. Through comparative protocols and online interactions with project scientists, FLEXE students analyze environmental data and develop an understanding of key Earth system processes. Students also deepen their understanding of the process and nature of science by engaging in facilitated interaction with scientists through the FLEXE Forum, as well as scientific reporting and peer review.
Initial FLEXE materials have focused on student understanding of energy transfer through components of the Earth system, including a comparison of how local temperature patterns differ from those found at deep-sea hydrothermal vents. Additional units (e.g., on extreme life, remote mapping) are planned for development, evaluation and integration into the GLOBE program by 2010.
The FLEXE project includes the expertise of the Center for Science and the Schools at Penn State University, and involves international collaborators from the InterRidge and ChEss research programs.
How you can contribute for broader impacts:
- Help develop and review Unit activities, including identifying appropriate data and imagery
- Help respond to students' interactions as part of the online FLEXE Forum
- Provide berth space for one or two educators on a research cruise, and contribute to education and communication efforts during the cruise
- Participate in professional development opportunities for educators (either "in person" or virtually)
Visit sample pages of the FLEXE website.
If you are interested in contributing to the FLEXE project or would like to explore other ways to participate in K-12 outreach, please contact Liz Goehring.