Science Education Initiatives

Georgia Aquarium Education Outreach

Georgia State University Researchers and Educators have been working with the Georgia Aquarium to design educational experiences for students K-12 who visit the aquarium.  As part of this effort we now have a student internship program for GSU students to work at the Aquarium.  For more information, contact Dr. Struan (Robbie) Smith

Background

The Georgia Aquarium, which opened in November 2005, is one of the largest and most exciting aquariums in the world, featuring more than 100,000 animals from 500 different species in over 8 million gallons of water. Twenty-five percent of its public floor space is dedicated to education, and an estimated 70,000 students, from kindergarten through 12 th grade, will participate in the educational programs annually.

In 2004, Georgia State University (GSU) entered into a collaborative project with the Georgia Aquarium to develop innovative laboratory-based, hands-on educational modules for students. The project team was comprised of staff from multiple entities: the Georgia Aquarium, GSU faculty and research laboratories, Center for Behavioral Neuroscience (CBN), the GSU Bio-Bus, and a new GSU biology intern program. Members from GSU included:

• Paul Katz
• Barbara Baumstark
• Laura Carruth
• Charles Derby
• Kyle Frantz
• Matthew Grober
• Jim Newcomb
• Struan (Robbie) Smith
  

In April 2005, Lisa Hayden, a post-baccalaureate biology student with an established relationship as a volunteer with the Aquarium, was hired as project coordinator.

This project was funded by National Science Foundation (NSF) grant IOB-0445768, the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience (CBN) of the STC Program of the NSF under Agreement No. IBN-9876754, and a Venture Grant award from the CBN.

Project Description

The primary goal of this project was to provide an innovative education experience for kindergarten through 12 th grade students with the following components:

• Teach and reinforce scientific inquiry and research concepts and techniques.
• Provide an environment that stimulates learning in an innovative laboratory setting.
• Incorporate activities and behavioral studies with fish, molluscs, and crustaceans used in GSU research. (Studies may include swimming responses, defensive mechanisms, social stress/dominance behavior, activity rate/metabolism, etc.)
• Provide hands-on and interactive activities to reinforce the learning experience.
• Engage and empower students in problem solving and decision making.
• Integrate science and math curriculum objectives from the Georgia Performance Standards.

The setting for the education experience included an innovative classroom with modular tables and chairs, projection capability and animal exhibits, and also a gallery space with multiple exhibits for animals.

The focus of Georgia State University's involvement in the Georgia Aquarium project included:

1. Design and implement research-based K-12 neuroscience modules . The teaching modules were centered on the concepts of scientific inquiry using current research on marine organisms at GSU as the basis for the lessons, activities, and animal exhibits. Three GSU research areas and the associated animals played a significant role in the lessons and behavioral studies:
   • Paul Katz and Jim Newcomb / sea slugs : Research on neuromodulation, signaling pathways, and the evolution of nervous systems. Neuronal activity in individual, identified neurons is monitored with electrophysiological and imaging techniques, and functions of homologous neurons are compared between species. The overall goal of this work is to better understand neuromodulatory processes and how neural circuits changed during the evolution of species-specific behaviors. The comparative project is supported by an NSF grant that specifically lists collaboration with the Aquarium and the Bio-Bus as part of its broader impact.
     
   • Matthew Grober / gobies : Research on the social regulation of reproductive behavior and physiology through the integration of extrinsic cues (environmental and social) with intrinsic neuroendocrine processes. The goal of this work is to establish a general mechanism for the social regulation of reproductive variability as an aid in understanding social regulation of reproduction and behavior in other vertebrates, including humans. A grant has been submitted to NSF includes a budget to support this outreach at the Aquarium.
     
   • Charles Derby / sea hares, lobsters, crabs, crayfish : Research in chemosensory neurobiology (specifically smell and taste), and the study of molecular, cellular and systems analysis of chemically-mediated behaviors in crustaceans using a variety of techniques. The overall project objective is to understand the ways in which nervous systems are organized to allow animals to detect, identify and respond to environmental chemicals and what mechanisms do animals use to chemically defend themselves against predators.
2. Assess educational impact and research advancement of aquarium-based research modules . We proposed conducting pre- and post-assessment to monitor the effectiveness of the educational program. This assessment would measure improvement in understanding the scientific method and the basic concepts covered in the program. Specific assessment goals were defined for each teaching module, grade level appropriate and associated with particular corresponding Georgia Performance Standards for science and math. It was later established that the State University of West Georgia would spearhead the assessment process for the education program.
   
3. Promote science education . In conjunction with the Georgia Aquarium project, GSU began an internship program, headed by Struan (Robbie) Smith, involving new Marine Biology course and Aquarium internship classes. In the spring 2006 semester there are currently 15 interns enrolled who will be trained to participate in leading the education program at the Georgia Aquarium. This program promotes science education and provides students majoring biology experience in education and education majors exposure to the field of science.
   

Long-Term Impact

There are long-lasting benefits for students, the Georgia Aquarium, GSU researchers, and the CBN as a result of this project. The students who experience this unique education experience are exposed to the scientific method and basic behavioral and neurobiological science in an interesting and enriching environment. This project contributes to improving student understanding in biology and the sciences, as well as to possibly stimulate interest in pursuit of science-related careers. There are positive, long-term impacts of fostering an increased knowledge base and interest in the biological sciences and the advancement of science education. This project provided the Georgia Aquarium with a model for building education modules and benefits from the educational outreach as more teachers and schools choose to use this educational opportunity for their students.

Related Pages

Bio-Bus

External Links

Office of Community Outreach and Partners

Center for Behavioral Neuroscience

Zoo Atlanta