Professional Development Workshops for AGU Scientists and Educators

Using Global Data Sets in Teaching Earth Processes

Thursday December 5, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM; Marriott, Pacific C

Conveners: Cathryn Manduca (Carleton College), David Mogk (Montana State University) and Alex Moore (Cornell University)

This one day workshop is designed for faculty who are interested in increasing their use of inquiry-based approaches employing on-line global datasets to teach Earth processes. The workshop will feature leaders who work extensively with on-line global data either in their research or their courses. Topics covered by the workshop will include: 1) strategies for engaging introductory students with data sets; 2) using inquiry to develop conceptual understanding; 3) managing data, computers, students, and products; 4) techniques for evaluating student learning in this setting. Examples will be drawn from across the Earth system.

Participation is limited to 20. Registration fee is $30. For more information and online application go to http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/globaldata02/index.html.

For more information, contact: Cathryn A. Manduca, Carleton College; phone: (507) 646-7096; email: cmanduca@carleton.edu.

How to Get a Research Program Started at a PUI (Primarily Undergraduate Institution)

Thursday December 5, 1:00 - 5:00 PM; Marriott, Pacific A

This workshop, sponsored by the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) Geosciences Division, will present strategies and approaches for developing and sustaining research programs at the undergraduate level. It is designed for new geoscience faculty, including graduate students preparing to enter academic positions, who are interested in developing an undergraduate research program, as well as faculty interested in expanding their research programs to include undergraduates. The workshop will cover and participants will receive materials on funding opportunities (including NSF), project selection and mentoring of undergraduates, and institutional support for undergraduate research. Facilitators will work with the participants to develop their own strategy for developing a research program involving undergraduates.

Presenters/facilitators in this workshop include: Linda Reinen, Pomona College, (lreinen@pomona.edu); Patricia Manley, Middlebury College (patmanley@middlebury.edu); Lydia Fox, University of the Pacific (lkfox@uop.edu); Karen Grove, San Francisco State University (kgrove@sfsu.edu); Jill Singer, National Science Foundation, Program Director, Division of Undergraduate Education (jsinger@nsf.gov).

Participation is limited to 25; Cost is $20. To register, contact: Don Woodrow, woodrow@hws.edu. Additional contact person: Karen Grove, San Francisco State University; phone: (415) 338-2617; e-mail: kgrove@sfsu.edu.

Improving Introductory Science Teaching for Non-Science Majors

Saturday December 7; 6:00 - 9:00 PM; Marriott, Pacific I

Conveners: Ed Prather and Tim Slater (University of Arizona); Mike Zeilik (University of New Mexico)

The introductory survey course for non-science majors presents a unique challenge for many college and university faculty. Sponsored by the NSF-funded National Institute for Science Education, this three-hour teaching excellence workshop provides participants with successful teaching strategies and effective assessment procedures. Participants will review recent results of educational research on teaching and learning and explore how course goals can be used to significantly improve the introductory course. With a focus on active learning strategies, participants will receive a materials package of classroom-tested, collaborative group learning activities that engage students in their own learning. Participants will also investigate how contemporary assessment procedures, including portfolio assessment, performance assessment, and concept mapping, are successfully implemented in courses for non-science majors in concert with conventional testing and grading approaches. New and senior faculty, as well as graduate students and post-docs, are encouraged to attend.

No pre-registration is necessary (but limited to 60 participants). Additional information is available by contacting Tim Slater at the University of Arizona (phone: 520-621-7096; fax: 520-621-1532; email: tslater@as.arizona.edu).

Evaluating Geoscience Education Projects with the DLESE Evaluation Toolkit

Monday December 9; 6:00 - 9:00 PM; Moscone Center, Room 270

Convener: Susan Buhr (CIRES)

This workshop is being sponsored by NSF as part of the Digital Library for Earth System Education (DLESE) Evaluation Toolkit program. It is designed to help geoscience educators and project evaluators find good evaluation resources, get feedback and help with geoscience education evaluation, and share results with one another. Register for this workshop at the CIRES website: http://cires.colorado.edu/~k12. For more information, contact: Susan Buhr, Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES); phone: (303) 492-5657; email: Susan.Buhr@colorado.edu.