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The Big Sky Model: A Regional Collaboration for Participatory Research on Environmental Health in the Rural West
Tony J Ward1, Diana Vanek, Nancy Marra
1The University of Montana, Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Missoula, Montana, 59812, USA.
Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement
|September 28, 2011
Summary
The Big Sky Model enhances science education for rural students through hands-on field research, connecting air quality to respiratory health. This inquiry-based approach fosters deeper understanding of environmental health concepts.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Chemical Health
- Physical Health
Background:
- Inquiry-based, hands-on science education is increasingly recognized as an effective pedagogical approach.
- The Big Sky Model is an innovative, community-based framework designed for science learning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To guide high school and tribal college students in understanding chemical, physical, and environmental health concepts.
- To investigate the links between air quality and respiratory health outcomes through field research.
Main Methods:
- Implementing the Big Sky Model, a community-based framework.
- Engaging students in classroom lessons and systematic field research.
- Investigating real-world environmental health issues.
Main Results:
- Students gain understanding of chemical, physical, and environmental health concepts.
- The model facilitates systematic inquiry into pressing real-world issues.
- Effectiveness demonstrated through various evaluation tools.
Conclusions:
- The Big Sky Model effectively supports inquiry-based science education.
- The framework successfully guides students in understanding complex health-environment links.
- Community-based, hands-on research is a valuable tool for science learning.
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