Describes possibilities for breaking a semester course into a number of minicourses. Emphasizes the utilization of teaching assistants as minicourse leaders, and reviews current minicourse college programs. Minicourses can produce positive student attitudes and interests by providing students more choice and self direction. (PR)

Environmental Studies for Urban Youth (ES) for first grade through college and the primary concerns of the Earth Science Teacher Preparation Project (ESTPP), both developed by the AGI's Earth Science Education Program, are considered. (PR)

Describes the rationale for and objectives of a strategy in which students display projects in lieu of a final examination. Although no grading is attached to the "walk-through," participation is required for the course grade. Sample student projects reflecting the variety of display formats are also described. (JN)

A plea is made for reallocation of resources within departments to recognize the importance of different kinds of higher level work. (DF)

Biology teachers' expectations of students who have completed earth science should change after the new Earth Science Curriculum Project materials are implemented. The new materials are based on an intrinsic motivation," rather than a managerial," model of teaching. History of ESCP outlined. (AL)

The elimination of traditional courses in favor of student-originated, self-graded projects in the Department of Geology and Geography at St. Lawrence University in Canton (New York) proved too radical for the entire faculty. The program eventually became two-tracked, offering students both traditional and student-generated learning situations.…

Discussed are procedures for increasing understanding and appreciation of geology among undergraduates. Included are using student-centered approaches, deemphasizing the use of conventional textbooks, increasing the use of nonspecialized field programs, and increasing the experimental dimensions of geology programs. (CW)

Suggested are methods for the collection of field evidence about processes that form plutonic and metamorphic rock. Description and discussion of these types of rocks are provided. The planning and execution of a successful field trip is discussed. Advanced field projects are also discussed. Included are five appendices, references, and a…