One of the things we have learned already is that you need an overall backbone to support communication,  processes that foster learning across the network, and network scale data collection/evaluation, but you also need backbone functions in each community to manage local development of shared vision, continuous communication, local data collection/evaluation and especially reinforcing activities.   We use the Serckit platform for our communications platform https://serc.carleton.edu/serc/about/serckit.ht... The website and associated email tools are an important communication tool for sharing progress and plans in a way that is both visible to the project and non-emphimeral with both public spaces and private workspaces (https://serc.carleton.edu/earthconnections/).&n... We have a checkpoint process and community of practice model that supports learning across the network.  Pathway maps are an important tool for the regional alliances to describe their work and how it is evolving (e.g. https://serc.carleton.edu/earthconnections/sanb... of page)

As a partner in the project, I have been fascinated by the evolution of the pathway maps and how they can be used to identify potential connections and next steps for the regional alliances.

Cathy, thanks for your insights re the need for "backbone" support at multiple levels.

And Donna, it's great that you are already thinking about what is sustainable. In my experience, it's not easy to maintain the level of activity of an R&D project after that funding ends, but there are ways to regroup and refocus or to sustain particular aspects of the work. I would guess that it may be easier to maintain some of the regional alliances, where there are natural partnerships emerging.

Thanks Maia! It's a project in evolution. The goal of the project is really to be hyper-local and work with the community on solutions. In Oklahoma we've recently partnered with the Oklahoma Geologic Survey, and they are the group that is working with teachers to adapt lessons for their locations. This is an in-progress aspect of the project and if you'd like we can keep in touch on the PBL lessons.  (You can connect with me after the video showcase at: donnac@unavco.org)

Thanks, Donna. I would be curious to hear how it goes. I work with Barbara Nagle at LHS, so I do hear some about the project via her. Always happy to hear more though (mbinding@berkeley.edu)

Hi Maia,

In the San Bernardino regional network we have not developed any teacher's lessons as part of the EarthConnections Alliance.  However, I have worked with the high school and community college faculty who are part of our San Bernardino alliance on previous projects, which did result in a couple of teacher's lessons related to using GPS to monitor deformation around active faults.   One of the lessons can be found here: http://www.earthscope.org/sites/default/files/escope/assets/uploads/pages/GPS_Vector_Lab_complete.pdf

Hi Sally, Thanks for sharing that, I'll check it out!

I think one of the easiest steps is for the school to reach out to the local college/university faculty or the local nature center/science museum.  Much of the power of EarthConnections comes from building connections between groups that are taking on different pieces of the puzzle.  The college/university faculty may well be involved in addressing needed local science.  The nature center/museum may have strong ties to the local environment. 

Thanks Claire. Yes, we are investigating all of these! Ultimately, I'd like to see us move to a model that is less reliant on grant funding and embed them more in the community, like your example of libraries. I'm really anxious to continue to learn (and watch) from the other projects that are here in the Showcase.