Analyzing beach sands with a SEM/EDS
This material is replicated on a number of sites
as part of the
SERC Pedagogic Service Project
Summary
In this laboratory exercise, students pose a question that can be answered using the SEM and sand they collected from beach profiles. Then, they use the SEM to answer their question or test their hypothesis.
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Learning Goals
Goals
- Design a small testable project
- Demonstrate use of an instrument
Skills
- Generating hypotheses and asking questions
- Selecting samples to test hypothesis or address question
- Use of the SEM/EDS
Context for Use
This is designed for a three hour laboratory exercise in an introduction to physical geology course.
Teaching Materials
No handouts are used for this exercise.
Teaching Notes and Tips
Groups of two to six students work well in the SEM lab: one student controls the joystick, one student controls the mouse, and they switch responsibilities during the lab. Groups larger than two seem to promote discussion better than smaller groups. However, groups larger than six are not ideal, because not all students are actively involved. This exercise might be done over more than one laboratory period, with students working on other exercises when they are not using the SEM.
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Assessment
Approximately two page report written by each student with sections addressing the question/hypothesis, methods, data, and interpretation.
References and Resources
Partial support for developing this exercise came from NSF 9951390.
Beane, R. J., 2004. Using the scanning electron microscope for discovery based learning in undergraduate courses. Journal of Geoscience Education, v. 52, p. 250-253.
