University of Nebraska-Lincoln Fundamentals of Geoscience in the Field and Methods in Geoscience Field Instruction

Abstract

These courses offer teachers an opportunity to learn about the geosciences and geoscience education through a 3-week inquiry-based field course across Wyoming, South Dakota and Nebraska. In 2010, two separate courses utilized the UW-NPS facilities. The group discovered local glacial features, evaluated the uplift and subsidence history of the Grand Tetons and Jackson Hole, respectively, and built upon growing geological abilities and knowledge of the geological evolution of the Rocky Mountain region. The first course (end of May) was directed at pre-service teachers enrolled in the Teacher Education program at the Univ. of Nebraska, and included 6 students and 2 observers from other universities. As part of the Nebraska Math and Science Summer Institute (NMSSI) program, the second course (middle June) was directed at in-service teachers, and included 8 participants. The primary aim of this course is to improve educators' ability to teach inquiry, gain knowledge and understanding of geoscience, and to demonstrate effective teaching methods that can integrate geoscience into K-12 learning environments.