A Manual for Place-Based, Data-Driven Teaching

Place-based education methodologies are increasingly being used for Earth-systems education as a way to increase student interest and excitement for learning in the geosciences. However, many of these activities are field-based, or rely field trips to local sites and connections to local culture. At the same time, research on Earth-systems is being transformed by the availability of large data sets which are made possible by increases in remote sensing and satellite technology. CUAHSI has developed a handbook for place-based, data-driven education which will support learning in the undergraduate classroom using data sets searchable through CUAHSI's Hydro Desktop. Sample activities will present the material in both inquiry-based activities and more structured problem-based activities. In the process, students learn about metadata and explore issues related to data sources, structure, and validity. Researchers who are members of the CUAHSI community will be supported to submit additional activities. The goal of the manual is to support undergraduate students in acquiring competency with using large data sets to support research on Earth systems.