Exploring the environment: a problem-based approach to learning about global change

The authors' project, Exploring the Environment (ETE), is developing Earth science modules for delivery over the Internet. Technology, such as remote sensing, simulations, and groundtruthing provide a myriad of tools to study global scale interactions and to make better predictions and decisions. Remote sensing allows students to see Earth subsystem interrelations on a grand scale. It is ideal for the study of change and the wider relations between many components of the environment. These studies seem to be having little impact in elementary and secondary schools. Studies show that science learning at the high school level has little effect upon students' science literacy, including their understanding of basic concepts, the process of science, or the impact of science on society. The authors' experience and research indicates that change in science classroom methodology can lead to student understanding of critical issues. The goal is engaging and motivating students to explore and understand issues in depth. The challenge is to provide teachers with alternative approaches to teaching and learning that will achieve the goal. Problem-based learning (PBL) is one of the alternatives.