Faculty Accounts of Teaching Geoscientific Thinking

Teaching the methods of geoscience in a mineralogy class
Dave Mogk, Montana State University-Bozeman
A pedagogical essay page detailing how mineralogy instruction can scaffold geoscience methods—integrating historical scientific development, theoretical reasoning, analytical techniques, and societal relevance—to cultivate students' scientific habits of mind and professional preparation in geoscience education. auto-generated The author of this page didn't provide a brief description so this one sentence summary was created by an AI tool. It may not be completely accurate.

Why do we teach geoscience to non-majors?
Kaatje van der Hoeven Kraft, Whatcom Community College
An essay page from the InTeGrate project discussing the rationale for teaching geoscience to non-majors, emphasizing scientific literacy, the process of geoscience, modeling, and the role of introductory courses in fostering informed citizens through explicit instruction and experiential learning. auto-generated The author of this page didn't provide a brief description so this one sentence summary was created by an AI tool. It may not be completely accurate.

A metacognitive approach to teaching geologic reasoning
Steve Reynolds, Arizona State University at the Tempe Campus
An academic essay page detailing a metacognitive pedagogical approach to teaching geologic reasoning, emphasizing strategies like think-aloud modeling, concept sketches, and disembedding to enhance students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills in geoscience education. auto-generated The author of this page didn't provide a brief description so this one sentence summary was created by an AI tool. It may not be completely accurate.

Using models in geoscience
Bob Mackay, Clark College
This webpage is an academic essay discussing the use of computer simulation models in geoscience education, emphasizing inquiry-based learning, systems thinking, and climate change modeling, with practical examples like CO2 cycle simulations and model-based games for undergraduate instruction. auto-generated The author of this page didn't provide a brief description so this one sentence summary was created by an AI tool. It may not be completely accurate.

The child as history: recapitulation goes to school
Kip Ault, Lewis & Clark College
An academic essay page analyzing the historical influence of recapitulation theory and Herbartian philosophy on child-centered education, emphasizing evolutionary analogies in developmental pedagogy, the role of G. Stanley Hall and John Dewey, and connections to modern science teaching methods in geoscience education. auto-generated The author of this page didn't provide a brief description so this one sentence summary was created by an AI tool. It may not be completely accurate.

Differences in the methodology and justification of the field sciences and the classical experimental sciences
Carol Cleland, University of Colorado at Boulder
Philosophical analysis comparing the distinct methodologies of historical field sciences and classical experimental sciences, emphasizing how time asymmetry in causation shapes their evidential reasoning, with field sciences relying on trace-based "smoking gun" detection for past events while experimental sciences focus on controlled prediction. auto-generated The author of this page didn't provide a brief description so this one sentence summary was created by an AI tool. It may not be completely accurate.

My personal journey into the methods of geoscience
Jennifer Anderson, Winona State University
Personal reflection page by geoscientist Jennifer Anderson discussing her evolving understanding of geoscience methodologies, contrasting them with traditional scientific approaches, and exploring implications for teaching across physics, geology, and education disciplines. auto-generated The author of this page didn't provide a brief description so this one sentence summary was created by an AI tool. It may not be completely accurate.

Teaching geoscience methods to pre-service elementary teachers
Kyle Gray, University of Northern Iowa
An essay page from the InTeGrate project discussing strategies for teaching geoscience inquiry methods—emphasizing inductive, place-based learning—to pre-service elementary teachers, highlighting curriculum design, student perceptions, and challenges in field-based and online education. auto-generated The author of this page didn't provide a brief description so this one sentence summary was created by an AI tool. It may not be completely accurate.

What should all citizens know about geoscience?
Basil Tikoff, University of Wisconsin-Madison
This essay page from the InTeGrate project explores the need for improving geoscience literacy among all citizens by shifting introductory science education from content-heavy, discipline-specific instruction to a methodology-focused, interdisciplinary approach that emphasizes scientific reasoning, critical thinking, and real-world relevance, particularly through understanding Earth's systems and societal challenges like climate change and resource sustainability. auto-generated The author of this page didn't provide a brief description so this one sentence summary was created by an AI tool. It may not be completely accurate.

Enjoy making observations and being frustrated? If you answered "yes", a career in geoscience is for you!
Becca Walker, Mt. San Antonio College
This webpage is an educational essay by Becca Walker discussing the teaching of geoscience methods, emphasizing observation, interpretation, pattern recognition through multiple lines of evidence, and embracing uncertainty in scientific inquiry, particularly within community college geology education. auto-generated The author of this page didn't provide a brief description so this one sentence summary was created by an AI tool. It may not be completely accurate.