Using Field Lab Write-ups to Develop Observational and Critical Thinking Skills part of Cutting Edge:Structural Geology:Activities
This adaptation of field labs incorporates writing in the form of "Description" and "Interpretation" sections of a geologic report. It can be used in many types of field labs to improve critical ...

Metamorphism of siliceous dolostone: An example from the Alta stock, Utah part of Cutting Edge:Petrology:Teaching Examples
In this exercise students study the low variance mineral assemblages from the contact aureole of the Alta stock to learn how rock and fluid compositions control mineral assemblages during contact metamorphism.

Earthquake! A Term Paper and Presentation Assignment part of Cutting Edge:Geophysics:Workshop 07:Geophysics Activities
In this writing and oral presentaion assignment, students are challenged to assess a building site for a fictitious organization, the Society for Earthquake Enthusiasts. Each student must choose a historically ...

Equation Dictionary part of Cutting Edge:Geophysics:Workshop 07:Geophysics Activities
The equation dictionary is an expansion of the traditional notecard that students bring to equation-based tests. It requires them to provide a prose explanation for the processes described by an equation as well as ...

River Flooding and Erosion part of Cutting Edge:Urban Geology:Activities
Students take a real-life situation (river flooding and erosion), use real flood and map data, and make predictions and recommendations as to what to do to help alleviate the problem.

Heat Capacity of Minerals: A Hands-On Introduction to Chemical Thermodynamics part of Cutting Edge:Mineralogy:Activities
Minerals are inorganic chemical compounds with a wide range of physical and chemical properties. Geologists frequently measure and observe properties such as hardness, specific gravity, color, etc. Unfortunately, ...

Take A Hike Assignment part of Cutting Edge:Introductory Courses:Activities
Students are assigned to take a hike in a location of their choice and write a concise summary of their observations of Earth Science features and processes. This assignment is used near the end of an Earth Systems ...

Weathering of Igneous, Metamorphic, and Sedimentary Rocks in a Semi-Arid Climate - An Engineering Application of Petrology part of Cutting Edge:Petrology:Teaching Examples
Students examine soils developed on igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks near Denver, Colorado. The 2-week exercise includes sample collection, description, and preparation, determining clay mineralogy by ...

Volcanoes Writing Assignment part of Cutting Edge:Introductory Courses:Activities
Students write an original work of fiction pertaining to the geology of stratovolcanoes and their eruptive hazards.

Geologic Mapping Exercise part of Cutting Edge:Early Career:Previous Workshops:Workshop 2010:Teaching Activities
This exercise is designed to simulate some of the mapping aspects of a basic geological investigation. This mock geological investigation is a good wrap-up exercise because it incorporates a variety of geological ...

Guided Reading of Scientific Journal Articles part of Cutting Edge:Structural Geology:Activities
This is a sequence of assignments for my Structural Geology course that guides students through the process of critically reading and analyzing scientific journal articles. For each article, I outline the general ...

The Non-linearity of Environmental Change: A coral reef model part of Cutting Edge:Environmental Geology:Activities
This is an exercise that is used in an undergraduate, non-major course titled "Coral Reefs: Biology, Geology & Policy". The course uses this popular environment as a proxy for environmental decline ...

2004 Asian Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster Project part of Starting Point-Teaching Entry Level Geoscience:Cooperative Learning:Examples
Students are employees of a unit of the United Nations responsible for coordinating disaster relief after a major disaster (the 2004 Asian Earthquake and Tsunami) occurs. The agency needs to understand the ...

An integrated view of the Glendale Landscape part of Cutting Edge:Hydrogeology:Hydrogeology, Soils, Geochemistry 2013:Activities
Students work in groups to develop posters that communicate their concept of landscape following several field labs (soils, sediment analysis, river discharge, vegetation survey, aquatic life) at one location. They ...

Western water law project part of Cutting Edge:Hydrogeology:Activities
This activity allows students to use role-playing to learn about the connection between surface water and ground water.

Natural Disaster Risk at Home part of Starting Point-Teaching Entry Level Geoscience:Undergraduate Research:Examples
Students analyze the natural disaster threat and potential mitigation techniques of their (family) home.

Gulf Anoxia Course Project part of Quantitative Skills:Activity Collection
In this activity students work in groups to investigate the problem of Gulf of Mexico hypoxia before developing mitigation strategies based on local contriubtions to the problem. The students present their ideas in a public meeting debate format from which a solution must be selected by the entire class.

Intro to Environmental Geology Writing Assignment part of Cutting Edge:Student Learning: Observing and Assessing:Activities with Rubrics
Students in an introductory environmental geology class research the Dust Bowl, analyze information and data and develop a written argument.

Groundwater Depth and Fracture Pattern Determination part of Cutting Edge:Geophysics:Workshop 07:Geophysics Activities
Learning to use the resistivity methodology for both vertical profiling and horizontal mapping.

Gravity and Magnetic Consulting Project part of Cutting Edge:Geophysics:Workshop 07:Geophysics Activities
This project involves the design, implementation, data collection, analysis and report writing for gravity and magnetic survey conducted over a two month period during the course.