Students using the RAIN Network to investigate mineral samples.
Pasadena City College has been working with twenty-five Los Angeles area schools to implement remotely accessible instruments, specifically, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) into K-12 classrooms through the RAIN Network. The remote technology was implemented concurrently with a problem-based learning (PBL) laboratory using geology and chemistry experiments to identify an unknown mineral sample from Death Valley.
Dr. Brandon Rodriguez, from the Educator Professional Development Collaborative at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, has been instrumental in developing the lab and implementing in K-12 classrooms says:
Students investigating physical property of unknown mineral sample.
Over the past year, I have been very impressed with how the RAIN program could be implemented in K-12 classrooms. We have had great success in the past implementing NASA resources in schools, bridging earth and space science. However, thinking about the phenomena-based next generation science standards (NGSS) practices, having a real-time analysis connected to our lab activities has elevated our impact. For example, earlier this year we ran a geology lab based on NASA’s Mars Sample Return program. Students explored rock samples based on the idea that a Martian rock sample send from Mars back to Earth. When students determined the nature of their sample, they were able to dial into a RAIN lab with the same sample and given the opportunity to interact with the technician, validating their conclusions. The live connection to scientists, especially in schools without easy access to scientific institutions, has given students a unique chance to interact with representative, collegiate science.
Students from each school RAIN and PBL were used were surveyed. From the data, it was clear the biggest impact from the lab was the remote SEM experience. They were able to use the imaging and elemental analysis to validate their limestone sample correctly. Especially of interest was the clear impact that the RAIN Network had on increasing the interest in science for underrepresented students, whom previously did not show any passion for obtaining a science degree. During the next year, we will continue implementing more RAIN labs into K-12 education and investigate the impact these labs have on student success.
SEM image and EDS Elemental Analysis of limestone sample obtained during remote session with K-12 students.
