About this Project
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Data Analysis for Investigating the Solid Earth (DAISE) is dedicated to strengthening the teaching of data analysis and quantitative reasoning skills within the context of geoscience topics. It is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Undergraduate Education awards #2518878 and #2518879. The project is sponsored by the National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT).
The mechanical behavior of the solid Earth, and in particular of Earth's lithosphere, is a fundamental component of the Earth system. Many large-scale processes depend on how the lithosphere responds to stress. Because most of the lithosphere is inaccessible to direct observations, integrating models, datasets, experiments, and natural samples is essential. For students to do this work, they need comfort and skill with interrogating models, assessing uncertainty in datasets, and comparing data from different sources.
DAISE will consist of three modules, each with several units within them. The modules incorporate skills such as error analysis and log graph interpretation, offering skills that are transferable across geoscience subfields. They will be developed by two-person author teams under a development and testing process that ensures high standards for student-centered learning outcomes, instructional strategies, resource content, and assessment effectiveness. Each will focus on topics such as grain size piezometry, stress and granular materials, or frictional experiments and fault strength. Assessment, evaluation, and website support will be provided by the Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College (SERC).
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HideProject Goals
Goal 1: Create teaching materials for investigating solid Earth geoscience problems that focus on strengthening the data analysis skills of undergraduate geoscience majors
In order to enable the rapid implementation of data analysis skill-building into the existing structure of geoscience majors, three modules of 3–5 units each will be developed. They will emphasize quantitative reasoning skills around the mechanical behavior of the solid Earth and the ability of students to assess quantitative evidence in the context of geoscience problems.
Goal 2: Lead and facilitate professional development (PD) related to student-centered teaching modules centered on increasing faculty confidence in using data-rich teaching activities in solid Earth courses
We will run a number of in-person and virtual professional development workshops that will enable faculty members to incorporate data analysis skills throughout their majors-level geoscience courses. The workshops will discuss module implementation strategies to support the development of skills such as analyzing data, comparing datasets, interpreting models, and applying quantitative reasoning to geoscientific problems.
Goal 3: Evaluate the impact of data-rich teaching modules on changes in students' confidence in data analysis skills in solid Earth courses
The evaluators and researchers will assess how effective the modules are at improving students' confidence with data analysis, as well as evaluating the impact on faculty members' comfort using data-rich activities in their classrooms.
Guiding Principles
The educational materials will follow these guiding principles:
Address one or more questions in solid Earth geoscience
The module must be framed around a question that is relevant to the field of solid Earth geoscience, such as tectonics, mantle convection, lithospheric stress, deformation, earthquake and fault systems, or stress in granular materials.
Apply authentic rheological, microstructural, experimental, or model-derived data on solid Earth processes for analysis and inquiry
Instructional materials should use real data that solid Earth geoscientists employ to understand the behavior of Earth's interior. The data may be from physical experiments, modeling, and/or natural samples. Datasets and/or references to data sources are provided as needed. The use of authentic data encourages students to think critically about how mechanical processes are inferred from measurements.
Use evidence-based learning strategies and activities to support data analysis and interpretation
The design of the teaching activities must actively promote skills necessary for a solid Earth geoscientist. Activities should scaffold techniques for data processing, visualization, and error analysis. The materials promote mastery of data analysis techniques that are central to engaging with authentic geoscience questions and assist students in recognizing when those techniques are likely to be applicable to a question.
Integrate data from multiple sources and synthesize concepts to make interpretations
Solid Earth problems rarely rely on a single data type. The teaching modules will require students to compare and reconcile information from disparate sources to develop a reasonable interpretation.
Develop students' quantitative reasoning through exploration of solid Earth phenomena
Quantitative reasoning is critical to analyzing solid Earth processes. The module should embed activities that require students to apply mathematical and computational skills directly to solid Earth phenomena. Examples may include analyzing experimental or observational data, applying physical equations to quantify geological processes, or interpreting graphical and numerical data to make predictions about the Earth.
Rough Module Outline
Module 1: Lithospheric Strength
Module 2: Granular and Photoelastic Materials
Module 3: Frictional Data, Faults, and Earthquakes