The EDGE project offers the opportunity for in-service Alaska teachers to interact with university research faculty, science educators and university undergraduate science majors to participate in Earth science field training. Teachers increase their Earth science content knowledge through field experiences, gain computer mapping technology skill sets in the ArcGIS environment, and acquire technology that they can transfer directly into their classrooms.
The EDGE program is funded primarily by the National Science Foundation (NSF). It provides a year of Geoscience experience for Alaska's secondary school teachers and their students. The annual EDGE cycle includes four components:
Three credit, field geology course for teachers: The first component of the EDGE project is a summer (June), three credit, two week, lower division Earth System Science Field Methods and in-lab GIS concepts course conducted at the UAS in Juneau.Two credit GIS/GPS course for high and middle school students: This course occurs in Fall. High school and middle school students of EDGE teacher participants are invited to enroll in two, one-credit, lower division UAS- ENVS (110, 111) courses entitled Introduction to Global Positioning System (GPS) and Introduction to Geographical Information System (GIS). The courses are taught in mornings and afternoons for a one week period.
Juneau Geology Essentials and GIS EDGE Projects ONLINE Course for teachers: This is a web-based, three credit, lower division “Earth System Science Essentials” course. It provides more content knowledge and Universtiy faculty instructors guide teachers through implementation of the Earth process projects that they designed for their students during their June field course. EDGE Science Symposium: This occurs in mid-March. All participant teachers (15) and atleast two of their students (30 students) attend an EDGE Symposium at UAS to present their projects and experiences.