Traveling Trunks of Lassen Volcanic National Park: A Redesign of National Park Curricula and Assessment for Grades 9-12

ABSTRACT TRAVELING TRUNKS OF LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK: A REDESIGN OF NATIONAL PARK CURRICULA AND ASSESSMENT FOR GRADES 9-12 by Thomas A. George Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies Science Teaching California State University, Chico Summer 2010 Lassen Volcanic National Park (LVNP) has geologic education resources contained in a large storage tub, designed for teacher use. The purpose of this project was to redesign and add to the curricula found in the Geologic Traveling Trunks (GTT) from LVNP. The objectives of the project were to: 1) design two matrices that correlate GTT teaching resources to both California State Science Standards and National Science Education Standards, 2) incorporate GTT-based activities in an Earth Science class for grades 9-12 and assess student learning based on implementation of those activities, 3) design a field trip to Cinder Cone volcano in LVNP supported by GTT resources, and 4) design a new curriculum for grade 9-12 earth science classes using the 5E Instructional Model Learning Targets, and assessment for teachers to use. To develop the matrices, each GTT resource was evaluated and matched to science education standards. The GTT-based activities were designed using the Karplus’ Learning Cycle and inquiry methodologies of National Science Education Standards. Student scores in a pre- and post- test before and after incorporating the GTT resources were analyzed to measure test score changes. A field trip to Cinder Cone at LVNP focused on improving student learning about volcanoes. The result of this work shows that when provided with curriculum that incorporates GTT resources, student (n=96) test scores increased more than the control group of students (n=70) who were taught using traditional curriculum. This suggests that the GTT-based activities led to increased learning over the control group. Students who attended the field trip (n= 3) performed better on classroom assignments than students who did not attend the trip. Evidence of student learning led to development of the curriculum plan to provide a complete curriculum packet (a 10-day lesson plan using GTT resources and assessment) for teachers to use.