24-1 Applied geoscience education: Pathways toward effective communication, collaboration, learning and sustainability

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

Poster Booth No.: 21

Presenting Author:

Chad Heinzel

Authors:

Heinzel, Chad E.¹, Iqbal, Mohammad Z.², Scott, Parker³, Thompson, Sophia⁴, Daugherty, Jayden⁵, Claussen, Starr Victoria⁶, Doyle, Connor⁷, Taylor, Clair⁸, Parks, Aaron⁹, Dachtler, Jada¹⁰, Kennedy, Erin¹¹

(1) Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, USA, (2) Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, USA, (3) Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa, USA, (4) Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa, USA, (5) Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa, USA, (6) Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, USA, (7) Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa, USA, (8) Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa, USA, (9) Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa, USA, (10) Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa, USA, (11) Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, USA,

Abstract:

Geoscience education is evolving to match the Earth’s dynamic processes, our changing educational standards and student/societal interests/needs as we work to support force development and return on investment. Science is an effective way to characterize and model our environments, yet scientific communication is increasingly difficult. Education is a pathway to elevating geoscience and improving scientific communication. This work details the University of Northern Iowa’s evolving efforts toward transforming geoscience education. Three new courses work to help students understand complex systems and the interrelationships between environmental science, health, and sustainability: Introduction to Environmental Earth Sciences, Natural Resources and Civilizations, and the Global Water Environment. These classes contribute to a new, UNIFI, core curriculum addressing critical thinking, responsibility, and scientific reasoning. We are also reenvisioning the role of community engagement, studying abroad and internship opportunities. Students are inundated by a multitude of environmental problems; they are eager to work toward solutions. Community engagement, when effectively paired with developing classroom knowledge, ties desire with action leading to meaningful learning. Students created a new organization, the Panthers for Efficiency and Sustainability Team (P.E.S.T) to help connect student learning with on and off campus sustainability opportunities. Students, staff, and faculty are working together toward addressing shared problems: E.g., natural history interpretation, soil, and water conservation in the hope of fulfilling learning and work force opportunities.

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