A very limited questioning of undergraduate Environmental Science students at the start of their studies suggests the age of the Earth is being successfully taught in high schools. The same cannot be said for the teaching of the structure of the Earth.

This study augments existing literature in understanding student perceptions about the geosciences; we examined the choice of major and science courses taken by 645 students at a large southeastern research university. Differences were examined between underrepresented minority (URM) and nonminority students. We compared responses regarding not…

We investigated connections between the natural and the cultural history of the Flathead Indian Reservation through the integration of geoscience, traditional tribal knowledge, and oral narratives for the purpose of improving Earth Science education in the tribal community. The project served as an avenue for the incorporation of indigenous…

Research has shown that asking conceptually based questions along with a personal response system (clickers) is an effective way of implementing the peer instruction pedagogy. Lecture tutorials are a paper-based method that also incorporates peer instruction. Past research has shown that both methods yield significant learning gains for students…

This article provides an instructional approach to helping students generate open-inquiry research questions, which the authors call the "open-inquiry question template." This template was created based on their experience teaching high school science and preservice university methods courses. To help teachers implement this template, they…

The departments of Geology and Education at Brooklyn College collaborated with five informal educational institutions in the development of a place-based graduate program for Earth science teachers. The team used "backward design" to develop a program of courses that are thematically structured and use a city-as-lab approach that places…

Describes a course for non-science majors in gems and gemstones developed at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. (SL)

Uses a laser pointer to demonstrate the analogy between optical and X-ray diffraction and a laser printer with 600 or 1200 dot resolution to create and modify arrays, print them on transparencies, and illuminate them with laser pointers. Includes 14 references. (Author/YDS)

A description of the course and the facilities for the course are given. The Course Log which lists the lectures, cruises, and other activities available to students is also given. The abstract or the paper of each students' individual research project has also been printed. The subjects of these projects range through all fields of earth science…

Identifies new skills that are required for geoscience students to prepare more effectively for careers in the oil industry and help geoscience departments upgrade their curricula. Presents data gathered from 29 oil companies based in Britain surveying 382,000 employees, and assesses more than 40 geological and geographical skills. (Author/YDS)

Argues that advances in Earth science call for their inclusion in Earth history. States that the focus should be on the planet and the process by which it reached its present state. Explains pre-solar and pre-lithospheric history, interacting spheres of influence, characteristics of eons and eras, and their transitions. (RT)

Describes an introductory geology seminar conducted almost entirely upon reviewing current newspaper articles relating to earth sciences. (SL)

Discusses the major problems facing environmental geology programs today including the need for curriculum standardization and problems of poor student performance. (MA)

Urges that geology instruction incorporate other disciplines to increase the relevancy of geology. Suggested benefits of this method include an increased retention of geological concepts, a decreased need for student memorization, and an increase in the instructor's awareness and knowledge of geology. (MLH)