Ben Wolfe

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Metropolitan Community College - Blue River

Ben Wolfe is a SAGE 2YC local workshop leader and faculty at Metropolitan Community College - Blue River. He co-convened the 2014 workshop From the classroom to the workforce: Increasing student success in the geosciences at Metropolitan Community College - Blue River.

Wolfe is Vice-President of the Geo2YC Division of the National Association of Geoscience Teachers. He has contributed the essays "Supporting Student Success in Geosciences at 2YCs through Field Based Learning" which describes his use of field work and experiences to engage students and "Strategies for Raising Awareness of Geoscience-Related Careers at 2-year Colleges" which details multiple approaches that he takes to increase career awareness in both his geoscience and HVAC courses. His presentation on careers and workforce training includes information on both green technolgy careers and geoscience careers and how two-year colleges can train students for these jobs. Wolfe was the Division Chair for Natural and Social Sciences at MCC Blue River for three and a half years.

Courses

Wolfe teaches Physical Geology (both lecture/lab and online), Physical Geography (lecture/lab and online), Energy and the Environment (lecture/lab), Earth Science for Elementary teachers, Geology Field Study, and Physical Science (lecture/lab).

Professional Interests

Wolfe's educational interests focus on the effectiveness of place-based learning and learning outside the classroom (field based learning) and its impact on recruiting, retaining, and matriculating two-year college students in the geosciences. He utilizes online technology in all his courses and developed laboratory activities for online instruction. He also has incorporated problem-based learning into laboratory assignments. His geoscience interests are in geomorphology and Quaternary geology, particularly the Quaternary history of the Great Plains and the eolian landforms and processes found there. He leads field study trips to Nebraska, Kansas and Wyoming. Besides his work at MCC, Wolfe is a PhD student in the School of Education at the University of Kansas. There his research focuses on curriculum development and pathways for community college students pursing science degrees, especially underprepared students, and their successful transition through remedial and developmental education to baccalaureate completion. He has also led workshops for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Master Naturalist training, local Boy Scout troops for the merit badge in geology, and presents rocks and fossils to area elementary schools and community organizations.

Institution

Metropolitan Community College serves the greater Kansas City, Missouri area from 5 campuses. It serves about 20,000 students, 56% of whom are female and 17% of whom are Black or African American.