ESSE21 umkc davies

ESSE 21 College and University Earth System Science Education for the 21st Century : ESSE 21 College and University Earth System Science Education for the 21st Century Earth Systems Science and the Urban Environment in Undergraduate Curricula Molly Davies and Jimmy Adegoke Department of Geosciences University of Missouri-Kansas City June 11, 2003


Earth Systems Science and the Urban Environment in Undergraduate Curricula : Earth Systems Science and the Urban Environment in Undergraduate Curricula University of Missouri-Kansas City • Four year, PhD granting institution • 12,500 students • Urban setting- population 1.8 million • Serving a diverse community • Located on Missouri River • Grassland prairies & temperate forest boundary • Edge of Tornado Alley


Earth Systems Science and the Urban Environment in Undergraduate Curricula : Earth Systems Science and the Urban Environment in Undergraduate Curricula 1. restructure current curriculum & develop new courses- around Earth Systems focus introductory advanced levels 4. create ESSE resource space dedicated for student research- design, analysis, & presentation Objectives: 2. incorporate inquiry-based learning, emphasize technology & develop critical thinking skills 3. focus teaching & student research Earth System Science at multiple scales in urban/exurban environments


Slide4 : Kansas City Metropolitan area and surrounding counties (8)


Earth Systems Science and the Urban Environment in Undergraduate Curricula : Earth Systems Science and the Urban Environment in Undergraduate Curricula Faculty Team: Caroline Davies- Biogeography Jimmy Adegoke- Climatology Tina Niemi- Tectonics Ray Coveney- Geology & Science Education Jim Murrowchick- Geology & Undergraduate Research Additional Resources: Kathleen Kilway- Chemistry Louis Odom- Science Education & Assessment Specialist Marshall Shepherd- NASA Liaison


Earth Systems Science and the Urban Environment in Undergraduate Curricula : Earth Systems Science and the Urban Environment in Undergraduate Curricula Kansas City Urban Environment Urban location on major river system Floodplain based industry Rapid suburban expansion Boundary zone between western grasslands & temperate forest Located within “Tornado Alley” Urban Heat Island Effect & storm bifurcation


Earth Systems Science and the Urban Environment in Undergraduate Curricula : Earth Systems Science and the Urban Environment in Undergraduate Curricula Inquiry-based Earth Systems Science Undergraduate Curricula Goals Earth System Thinking


Slide8 : Restructuring Undergraduate Curriculum Geo-Computational Methods


Earth Systems Science and the Urban Environment in Undergraduate Curricula : Earth Systems Science and the Urban Environment in Undergraduate Curricula Revised courses Introductory science Senior Seminar New Course Development Field Methods Geocomputational Methods


Earth Systems Science and the Urban Environment in Undergraduate Curricula : Earth Systems Science and the Urban Environment in Undergraduate Curricula Understanding Earth Entry level Earth science for 3 degree programs Large service course for non-majors Introduce major Earth Systems: atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, biosphere Inquiry-based activities: focus on intersection of Earth systems, including human environment, introduce concepts of modeling increase active learning components


Slide11 : biosphere El Nino, Deep ocean circulation, & Climate change Large river systems, Sediment & nutrient cycling, & climate feedbacks Tectonic uplift, Weathering & CO2 cycling Understanding Earth


Earth Systems Science and the Urban Environment in Undergraduate Curricula : Earth Systems Science and the Urban Environment in Undergraduate Curricula Field Methods Field -based, problem solving Application & operation of technology Ex. mapping, GPS, total station, sediment coring, temp/humidity data loggers, GPR, etc. Modules introduce method, present problem: Mapping Kansas City bedrock identifying environments of formation & implications for construction, erosion, water availability Sampling sediment Swope Park Lake urban impacts on sedimentation & water quality Investigating Kansas City microclimates


Earth Systems Science and the Urban Environment in Undergraduate Curricula : Earth Systems Science and the Urban Environment in Undergraduate Curricula Geo-Computational Methods Advanced course Geo-Computational approaches Utilizes large digital data sets Explore complex geo-environmental processes and feedbacks Statistical methods for analysis complex, non-linear systems Student projects will evolve into a virtual studio of computational tools and datasets


Earth Systems Science and the Urban Environment in Undergraduate Curricula : Earth Systems Science and the Urban Environment in Undergraduate Curricula Senior Seminar Project based capstone course Students design and develop their own research projects Incorporate several approaches and tools Examine urban issues, compare urban/exurban processes, or human intersection with Earth systems


Earth Systems Science and the Urban Environment in Undergraduate Curricula : Earth Systems Science and the Urban Environment in Undergraduate Curricula Undergraduate Research Space Dedicated space for design, development, and presentation of undergraduate research projects SPACE- 427 Flarsheim Hall Equipment: Modeling computer Graphics computer Slide scanner Flatbed scanner Larger format printer


Earth Systems Science and the Urban Environment in Undergraduate Curricula : Earth Systems Science and the Urban Environment in Undergraduate Curricula • Campus-wide Resources Geography, Geology, Environmental Studies, Chemistry, and Education • Inquiry-based Earth Systems Science Undergraduate curricula Revision & development new 4 core courses • Focus Kansas City Urban/Ex-Urban Environments