We are asking you to participate in a research study titled “Investigating Paleoclimate: Understanding Global Climate Change by Investigating the End Triassic Mass Extinction, a workshop for 9th to 12th grade teachers.” We will describe this study to you and answer any of your questions.  This study is being led by Danielle Oberg, PhD candidate in the Department of Geosciences at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. The Faculty Advisor for this study is Dr. Celina Suarez, Department of Geosciences at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

What the study is about
The purpose of this research is to understand how carbon cycle perturbations are related to global climate change and mass extinctions. We do this quantitatively using stable isotope geochemistry. As modern and future climate changes due to anthropogenic effects, we want to provide tools to educators to assist in the teaching of climate change. We will do this by exploring how to teach “deep-time” paleoclimate by investigating climate change during the End Triassic Mass Extinction event. The workshop will delve into how scientist go from collecting data in the field to processing it in the lab to generating real data and interpreting it.

What we will ask you to do
The pre-workshop survey is a 4-question survey used to evaluate your current level of knowledge about paleoclimate. 

The workshop itself involves listening to lectures, doing worksheets, calculating equations, and asking lots of questions. The purpose of the workshop is to go through the assignment materials in real time, so you know how the materials are intended to be used. This is also an opportunity for you to provide us with feedback about the materials and how we can improve them.

Finally, there is a post-workshop survey which will allow us to evaluate what you learned and how to make the materials better. Information from all completed surveys and interviews will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of these materials for the purpose of teaching paleoclimate.

Participation and Logistics
Date: Tuesday, June 6, 2023
Time: 8:30am - 2pm CT
Location: Center for Math and Science Education (346 N West Ave, Fayetteville AR 72701)
Cost:  Free!   Morning snacks and lunch will be provided. Let us know if you have dietary restrictions. 
Educators can receive 6 PD credits for attending this workshop. 

If you have additional questions, please contact a workshop organizer: 
Danielle Oberg (deoberg@uark.edu)
Celina Suarez (casuarez@uark.edu)