24-6 “I Was Actually Doing Research, Not Fakesearch”: Student Reflections on Real-World Research in a Mineralogy Course

Session: Transforming Geoscience Education: Reimagining how we teach the Earth (Posters)

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Since 2021, undergraduate geology and environmental science students at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga have been introduced to research in a Mineralogy course. The research is introduced through a heavily structured course project where students investigate an unknown material. The goals of the research project are to 1) introduce the steps of research to sophomore-level students, having students formulate hypotheses, collect data, produce preliminary conclusions, and present what they have done at a department-level poster presentation session, and 2) present a real-world problem that requires students to practice mineral identification skills. Students spend approximately 6 hours of lab time on the project throughout the semester. Examples of projects include identification of unknown rock materials that were dug out of local community members’ yards, interesting materials that have been brought to the instructor’s attention by other faculty or by the instructor’s own curiosities, and materials of interest to the Chattanooga community in general. Mineralogy is designated as an Experiential Learning course at UTC which requires students to reflect on their learning. Pre-, mid- and post-reflection data provide insight into the students’ thoughts on the research process and skillsets learned. Reflections from 2024 and 2025 indicate an overall positive view of their introduction to research. These reflections can inform the geology program of students’ early experience with research and build upon their experience in later courses and ultimately in their required capstone research project.

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