FLEXE: From Local to Extreme Environments

FLEXE - From Local to Extreme Environments

FLEXE is a science education project that helps students gain an understanding of local and extreme environments, the interconnected Earth system and the process of science. FLEXE aims to evaluate effective ways to partner students, scientists and educators using web-based technology.

Educational Components

As its name implies, FLEXE deepens student understanding of earth system processes through comparison of data from local and remote environments. FLEXE also helps students understand the process and nature of science through the use of web-based collaborative tools.

Extreme Environments

FLEXE uses the excitement of deep-sea extreme environments to engage middle and high school students in the process of scientific learning.

For Teachers

Educational materials include classroom-based learning activities and Student-Scientist Forums featuring deep-sea scientists and the environments they study. Note: Forums are currently available in archive form.

About Us

FLEXE was developed at Pennsylvania State University's Center for Science and the Schools (CSATS) in collaboration with the GLOBE (Globe Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) program and the NSF deep-sea research program Ridge2000.

Try this!

(Sample Activity)

Using Photomosaics to Understand Animal Distributions

Meet Dr. Chuck Fisher, a marine biologist at Penn State University, and analyze one of his datasets from a vent community in the western Pacific. Then read Dr. Fisher’s feedback on what his team found.
(Note: This activity is part of the FLEXE Ecology Unit.)

FLEXE - Deepening Earth Systems Science Understanding with GLOBE.

This work is supported in part by the National Science Foundation under NSF grant GEO-0627909.