Initial Publication Date: May 17, 2007

Workshop on Geochemical Analytical Techniques: Goals, Schedule and Participants

Montana State University - March 1 - 4, 2007

This working group for this workshop have been invited because of their expertise in using specific analysis techniques. They have the best perspective on the type of information that is needed to help the larger geoscience community use these techniques. So, the scheduling and topics that are suggested in the following agenda can be modified to meet their needs. This page includes:

Workshop Goals
Workshop Schedule
List of Participants

Workshop Goals

Create a series of on-line "tutorials" to introduce each of the analytical techniques, the instrumentation, procedures (sample preparation to data acquisition), data representation and interpretation, and advice on how to critically evaluate these data
Create related tutorials on applications (e.g. U-Pb zircon dating; whole-rock analysis), comparing the strengths and limitations of numerous analytical techniques, with "pointers" on how to critically evaluate the data and interpret results
Create a collection of recommended teaching activities and related resources that address these techniques and applications
Opportunity to interact and network with colleagues with similar interests in analytical geochemistry

Workshop Schedule

Thursday March 1

8:00am - 7:00pm - Travel to Bozeman (pick up or shuttle from airport)

7:00pm - Pickup at Holiday Inn for dinner at The Mint Restaurant

Friday March 2: Focus on Analytical Techniques

7:00am - 8:00am - Breakfast at Holiday Inn (charge to room)

8:00am - Van pickup at Holiday Inn

8:15am - 8:30am - Meet at Bozeman Public Library; Coffee

8:30am - 9:00am - Welcome and Introduction

Examples of web-based tutorials as a guide to what we can create; upload from forms, create new pages, step-by-step tutorials
Group discussion, questions, clarification

9:00am - 10:00am - Demonstration CMS
MSU staff will demonstrate some basic operations in using the Content Management System (from Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College); uploading forms; creating new text; uploading images; single-page editing functions.

10:00am - 10:30am - Break

10:30am - 12:00pm - Work Session I

Write text to submit to form
Upload form information
Amend, append, and edit existing Technique Sheets

12:00pm - 1:30pm - Lunch (walk to a local restaurant)

1:30pm - 3:30pm - Work Session II

Continue to work on Technique Sheets
Cross-talk between colleagues with similar interests
Editing and reviewing
Start work on applications for following day

3:30pm - 4:00pm - Break

4:00pm - 5:00pm - Live "Walk-Through" of Technique Sheets

Whole group review of pages developed
Suggestions for additional coverage
Create "to-do" lists to finish these pages
Report outs and demonstrations from work groups

5:00pm - Dinner at Montana AleWorks (walk across the street; dinner is on us; our NSF grant won't let us purchase alcohol - you're on your own)

Saturday March 3: Focus on Applications

7:00am - 8:00am - Breakfast at Holiday Inn (charge to room)

8:00am - Van pickup at Holiday Inn

8:15am - Meet at MSU in Traphagen Hall; Coffee

8:30am—9:00pm—Charge for the Day, Examples, Outcomes

9:00am - 11:30pm - Work Session III (Work in computer classrooms in TRAP Hall)

Work in small groups to create Application Pages
Self-organize by application (age dating, whole-rock, e-beam, etc.)
MSU staff will help post materials in the CMS

11:30am—12:00pm - Morning Road Check (brief progress reports, requests, etc.)

12:00pm - 1:30pm - Lunch (walk to a local restaurant)

1:30pm - 3:30pm - Work Session IV