Earth System Science Courses

Understanding Doppler radar radial velocity fields part of Pedagogy in Action:Library:Spatial Reasoning with GeoClick Questions:Examples
This activity is designed to help students learn how to interpret Doppler radial velocity radar images with meteorological applications, as well as giving students a chance to practice their spatial skills.

Communicate the Quake: An interactive earthquake role-play used to teach communication skills part of Pedagogy in Action:Library:Role Playing:Examples
Communicate the Quake is an interactive role-play used to teach upper-level undergraduate students about earthquake hazards, emergency management, and risk communication through the management of an authentic earthquake event.

The Volcanic Hazards Simulation: A complex role-play used to teach communication, teamwork and decision-making skills part of Pedagogy in Action:Library:Role Playing:Examples
The Volcanic Hazards Simulation is a complex role-play used to teach upper-level undergraduate students about volcanic forecasting and emergency management through the management of an authentic volcanic scenario.

The First Field Trip: An introduction to sedimentation and stratigraphy part of Pedagogy in Action:Library:Field Labs:Field Lab Examples
An example set of tasks and questions for the first field trip of a 300-level Sedimentology and Stratigraphy course.

Drawing Contour Lines part of Pedagogy in Action:Library:Spatial Reasoning with GeoClick Questions:Examples

Correlation part of Pedagogy in Action:Library:Spatial Reasoning with GeoClick Questions:Examples
× Formative assessment questions using a classroom response system ("clickers") can be used to reveal students' spatial understanding. Students are shown this diagram and told, "Fossils ...

GeoClick: Sedimentary Environments part of Pedagogy in Action:Library:Spatial Reasoning with GeoClick Questions:Examples
Students apply their understanding of sedimentary rocks and sediment characteristics to identify where rocks may be forming using a simplified cross-section of a landscape from mountain to sea.

GeoClick: reading the Michel Levy Color chart part of Pedagogy in Action:Library:Spatial Reasoning with GeoClick Questions:Examples

An Experiential Pedagogy for Sustainability Ethics: The Externalities Game part of Pedagogy in Action:Library:Games:Examples
The Externalities Game is a non-cooperative game that teaches students about the concept of environmental externalities and allows them to directly experience the moral dimensions of collective action problems. It has been particularly effective for teaching students about the moral aspects of the climate change. Grades are used to create the tension between earning individual grade points at the expense of group benefit. This is part of a research project funded by the National Science Foundation.

Core Microscopy Skills: Instructional Scaffolding for the Gram Stain part of Pedagogy in Action:Library:Indoor Labs:Examples
Effective use of a microscope and Gram staining are important skills in biology and clinical medicine. This scaffolded activity teaches students these skills in steps that build on each other.