Increasing the data, math, and societal relevance in introductory Earth science courses

Overview

Interested in integrating data-rich teaching into your introductory courses?
Want to learn more ways to motivate learning through societally-relevant science?

Integrating cutting edge data and quantitative skills into introductory courses can be challenging. The GEodesy Tools for Societal Issues (GETSI) project has developed a suite of undergraduate teaching modules to make this easier and more engaging. The short course will feature three of the modules, particularly relevant to California instructors; as well as overview additional resources, provide coaching on teaching with data and math more generally, and give participants time to work on implementation planning. Participants who complete the full workshop will receive a $250 stipend* (participants coming from >50 miles may request $400 stipend).

Featured modules

The featured modules are

• Measuring the Earth with GPS (emphasis Earthquakes, GPS, and Plate Movement unit)
• Eyes on the Hydrosphere: Tracking Water Resources
• Monitoring Volcanoes & Communicating Risk
  Other teaching resources on topics from climate change to landslide and earthquake hazards will be introduced as well.

Audience

This short course is for any instructor of introductory earth science courses at college or university level, who wants to increase their capacity to have students working with cutting edge data, math skills, and situating science in a context of societal issues. Community college instructors, including adjunct faculty, are particularly encouraged to participate. Also appropriate for secondary K-12 teachers, who are interested in learning about these methods and adapting materials originally designed for early college level. Later stage graduate students with some teaching or assistant teaching experience and plans to teach more in the future would also gain from participation.
The course is particularly focused on California instructors, and uses California examples whenever possible.

Goals

Participants will:

• Be able to access online teaching resources presented in the short course
• Be able to teach more effectively about geodetic data and methods, including using math skills
• Be able to integrate societal challenges and interdisciplinary solutions into earth science courses
• Make implementation plans for adopting elements of the modules and/or teaching strategies into their courses

Format & Materials

The short course will be held in the Mt San Antonio College campus. Lunch will be provided
Participants should bring a laptop to work on in order to access the online materials.

For agenda and more information, visit the SERC event page.

*Stipends are for active or imminent instructors as described above in the “Audience” section. Must be US citizen or permanent resident or at a US institution to receive a stipend. Stipends will be sent out in the month after the short course.