Curated OER
Ocean Stratigraphy Challenge
Students are asked to explain the sequence of rock and sediment types and to devise an experiment to test this hypothesis. It is intended for students with some prior knowledge of oceanography, sedimentary geology, and plate tectonics...
Curated OER
Reducing Volcanic Hazards to People and Property
Students examine and research major hazards to humans located in the area of volcanoes and write a general summary. Students must choose a volcano and determine what actions might be taken to reduce risks to a population. Summaries are...
Curated OER
Student Peer Review Through a Discussion Board to Develop an Invasive Species Paper
Students develop electronic communication skills through a discussion board while peer reviewing a paper on invasive species. Students work in groups of three to provide constructive feedback on a classmate's paper.
Curated OER
Developing a Local Stratigraphy
Students examine rock strata for the distribution, deposition, and age of sedimentary rock. They describe rock types in a variety of outcrops and construct a regional stratigraphy.
Curated OER
GPS Treasure Hunt
Students practice using a GPS receiver and reading directions in an on-campus field trip. Students can identify a building stone, tree, or plant at each stop depending on which area of science is being studied.
Curated OER
Annotating Change in Satellite Images
Young scholars compare a series of satellite images taken 3-4 years apart to investigate the effects of human land use. They annotate the images using ImageJ software and use the annotated images to explain their findings.
Curated OER
Sun Spot Analysis
Students use Excel to graph monthly mean Greenwich sunspot numbers from 1749 to 2004. They perform a spectral analysis of the data using the free software program "Spectra". Short answer and thought questions related to the graphical...
Curated OER
Salmon Smolt: Stella PC and Mac
Students investigate the Stella Smolts Migration Model and its use in previous simulation models to help managers deal with the many factors contributing smolts decline. They participate in an interactive exercise in the role of fishery...
Curated OER
Daisyworld: Interactive On-line PC and Mac
Students use a JAVA interface to explore the Daisy World model to illustrate a mechanism through which - according to the Gaian hypothesis - biota might optimize their abiotic environment by means of negative feedback.
Curated OER
World Population
Learners examine the world population data using MyWorld GIS software and compare and contrast the population characteristics of countries around the world. Students summarize their findings in a report.
Curated OER
Sea Floor Spreading II
Students import ocean bathymetry data from text files. They then graph these observations along with model predictions to assess the model's ability to simulate observed topographic features of the North Atlantic. Students use Excel to...
Curated OER
Writing about the world's fisheries (Calibrated Peer Review)
Students summarize the findings of the Pew Ocean Commission report "America's Living Oceans," contrast it to an opposing viewpoint, and recommend a fisheries policy based on their understanding. It includes a scoresheet that was created...
Curated OER
Environmental Assessment Course
Students explore how the campus is linked with the larger environment. They investigate how to collect data by interviewing and researching, analyze findings, and make recommendations. Students explore how to present their findings to...
Curated OER
When is Dinner Served? Predicting the Spring Phytoplankton Bloom in the Gulf of Maine (College Level)
Students are able to explain the ecological importance of phytoplankton. They describe the components that influence a phytoplankton bloom. Students interpret satellite images in order to correlate buoy data.
Curated OER
Stream Gages and GIS
students interpret recent regional-scale climate events based on current stream flow, monitor changes in time, and to consider additional interpretations that could be derived if other data were in map form.
Curated OER
Sarita Wetland Restoration
Students collaborate on the plannng and implementation of the Sarita Wetland Restoration. The Sarita Wetland is the remnant of former Lake Sarita that was drained in the early 1900's. The goal of the entire project is to improve water...
Curated OER
Floodplains in the field (with GIS)
Students measure a topographic and geologic cross-section across a floodplain by simple surveying and auguring techniques. They consider the spatial context of the field observations, use GPS measurements, and desktop GIS analyses.
Curated OER
Names in the Field: A Simple GPS Field Exercise
Students explore basic methods of GPS data collection, uploading the data to a computer, and making simple maps of their data using GIS software. They create a map of the data using GIS software (or Excel)
Curated OER
Sea Floor Spreading II
Students import ocean bathymetry data form either the topex web site or text files. They then graph these observations along with model predictions to assess the model's ability to sumulate the observed topographic features of the North...
Curated OER
Petrology in the Field and Laboratory
Students collect samples in the field, analyze them using various tools and instruments, then present their results and interpretations. They examine igneous and metamorphic rocks in detail and interpret petrologic data.
Curated OER
Watershed Analysis
Students conduct a regional watershed analysis of an area of their choosing. Using on-line data and their personal knowledge of the area, they determine the annual hydrologic budget and teach the class about "their" watershed.
Curated OER
Looking into Earth with GIS
Students work with data from a seismic wave model in a freely available GIS (geographic information system) program, ArcVoyager SE. Using a GIS, they examine maps and produce graphs to explore variations in seismic wave velocities at...
Curated OER
Geologic Puzzles: Morrison Formation
Students make observations and present interpretations based on their observations and on their prior knowledge. They use images to answer questions and make formulate hypotheses.
Curated OER
Calibrated Peer Review: Introduction-Why Study Geology?
Students read an article written by Sarah Andrews, a geologist who has written mystery novels featuring a geologist who solves crimes. After reading the article, students write an essay based on a Writing Prompt and begin peer review...