Field trips to So Cal. using local geological expertise. Given high standards, immersion, appropriate technology - students will rise to the occasion. Uses existing online field trips to test students, and compares VFT with the real thing - answers are the same, but more enthusiasm with the real trip. Students must answer questions for at least three virtual trips,using worksheets the author set up. Also creating two new trips using Redrock Canyon.
Databases can be interactive exploration tools.
Database resources can be linkedwith ed materials, providing a broader approach to teaching. Petrographic workshop - minerals and thin sections via WWW offers tools to browse, search etc for mineral details, also pictures of petrographic thin sections, multiple images side by side, etc Nice use of pull down menu. Teachers working with NASA scientists using comparative planetology for a a systems apporach, and developing education materials. Shared laser altimetry dat a from the Mars Global Surveyor. Students develop knowledge to choose a landing site, then develop a mission - launch, flight, landing team.