Faculty Accounts of Teaching Geoscientific Thinking

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.

Teaching the methods of geoscience in a mineralogy class
Dave Mogk, Montana State University
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.

Geoscience methods applied to real-world problems
Kathleen Harper, The University of Montana
This webpage is an educational essay discussing how geoscience methods—such as observation, measurement, and modeling—are applied to real-world problems like natural hazards, resource management, and environmental issues, with regional and global case studies to enhance science 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.

Differences in the methodology and justification of the field sciences and the classical experimental sciences
Carol Cleland, University of Colorado 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.

My metaphoric earth science life story
Catherine Lange, SUNY Buffalo State University
Personal essay page detailing a geoscience educator's career journey using geological metaphors, covering urban teaching challenges, overcoming science phobia, pedagogical development, and returning to academia to train future teachers, emphasizing growth through pressure and transformation. 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.

Field-experiences in every geoscience class: the key to facilitating developmentally appropriate instruction
Sean Cornell, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Essay advocating for mandatory field experiences in geoscience education to enhance observational skills, active learning, and developmentally appropriate instruction, with examples from introductory and upper-level courses. 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.

Learning geoscience by talking and doing
Julie Stoughton, University of Nevada-Reno
Personal essay detailing a geoscience educator's pedagogical evolution from outdoor instruction to university teaching, emphasizing active learning strategies like small-group discussions, data analysis, and field-based labs to engage non-majors and majors in geoscience practices. 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.

Introducing the methods of geoscience to physical geology students
Beth Dushman, Howard Community College
A geoscience education essay page detailing strategies for teaching non-majors and majors in physical geology through critical reasoning, scientific method application, observational labs, communication exercises, and media literacy, with an emphasis on plate tectonics, natural hazards, and ongoing geological research. 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.