What is CHANCE?

     Q: What is CHANCE?

A: CHANCE (Connecting Humans And Nature through Conservation Experiences) is many things. This professional development program:

• Is a coordinated partnership between the Pennsylvania State University and the Pennsylvania Department of Education that aims to enhance the training of high school science teachers in environmental science and conservation biology.
• Uses hands-on scientific field experience in Costa Rica/Panama (and soon, China), and computer-based, interactive "research modules" to allow teachers to bring real-world scientific issues, research methods, and data into classrooms.
• Trains high-school and pre-service science teachers to maximize use of the modules-which can be freely accessed by all educators-to enhance their environmental science curricula.
• Actively engages students in the practice of science-building both excitement and awareness among the next generation of science majors, practicing researchers, and concerned citizens.
• Promotes environmental awareness of crucial issues-such as water pollution, biodiversity, and depletion of natural resources-within the context of basic biological principles and solid research.
• Is grounded in the belief that research-level scientific inquiry can and should be incorporated into secondary science teaching practices-enhancing students' understanding and empowering them with an increased sense of mastery over the research process.

Q: What is the CHANCE field course?

A: The CHANCE field course Environmental Science and Conservation Biology: A Field Study in the Biodiversity of Costa Rica is lead by Dr. Jacqueline McLaughlin, Associate Professor of Biology, Penn State Lehigh Valley and Founder and Director of CHANCE. Dr. Kathleen Fadigan, Assistant Professor of Science Education, Penn State Abington & Great Valley Campuses, accompanies the group to provide expertise in teaching and learning methodologies, skills, and applications.

This yearly academic adventure to the Central American rainforest and beaches consists of pre-trip, trip, and post-trip assignments. The actual trip entails visiting four non-government organizations, venturing into the field, analyzing conservation issues, and experiencing first-hand what researchers are actually doing in the field to sustain biodiversity.

Apply for the 2010 CHANCE Field Course

Q: What are the CHANCE modules?

A: The CHANCE modules are a set of web-based, environmentally themed, learning tools that utilize authentic research data. Targeted toward high school science students, each module features a student-as-researcher approach through student manipulation of a data set contributed by scientists who are currently investigating the topic. These tools are filling the niche in the transition from simple inquiry-based learning (textbooks, less student responsibility) to professional science practice (research, more student responsibility), while at the same time covering the standards and promoting environmental literacy and stewardship.

Thus far, seven modules have been developed and are already in use in high schools and educational organizations throughout the world. Completed CHANCE modules focus on the following global topics:

• invasive plant species
• raptor migration
• amphibians as indicators of environmental change
• sea turtle nesting behaviors and survival
• deciduous forest biodiversity
• species extinction
• global climate change.

Modules in the planning stages include topics on watershed restoration, waste disposal, water pollution, and burning culm -- the main waste product of coal incineration to produce electricity. It is hoped that high school teachers around the nation log onto the CHANCE web site in order to peruse, and utilize, this repository of high quality alternative educational

View CHANCE Modules

The Pennsylvania Department of Education recommends the use of CHANCE research modules as a way of helping high school students meet the nine state standards in environmental science and ecology. Because most states must meet similar standards, the CHANCE modules and its field-course provide a viable framework for renewing high school biology education nationwide.

CHANCE offers a $500 scholarship to all Pennsylvania in-service teachers who are selected to participate in the 2010 field course. For more information on the field course or module use, contact Dr. Jacqueline McLaughlin at: JShea@psu.edu.

Read Penn State Lehigh Valley is Shaking Up the Science Classroom and Taking It Abroad..

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CHANCE is a proud winner of the "2005 Bringing the World to Pennsylvania Award" sponsored by the Pennsylvania Council of International Education.