Geoethics Case Study: The Keystone Pipeline--Energy, Jobs or Environment? part of GeoEthics:Activities
David Mogk and Andrew Thorson, Montana State University-Bozeman Summary The Keystone Pipeline is a complex project that raises important environmental, economic, and international policy issues. Tar sands from ...

Online Discussion Prompts for Introductory Geology part of Teach the Earth:Teaching Activities
This set of 17 online discussion prompts are designed to encourage students to apply, explore, and reflect on course topics. Some are content-specific (e.g. investigate misconceptions about a certain topic or take ...

Unit 1: Impacts of Land Use part of A Growing Concern
In this introductory unit, students will learn about the fundamental role of observation by viewing photographs of both agricultural and non-agricultural (natural) landscapes and making independent observations. ...

Ethical Dilemmas of Backcountry Skiing and Guiding part of GeoEthics:Activities
Dave Mogk, Emma Vigers and Matt Wood, Montana State University-Bozeman Summary This case study explores decision-making in high risk settings such as back-country skiing. The scenarios presented have application ...

Geoethics Case Study: Pebble Mine, Alaska part of GeoEthics:Activities
David Mogk, Montana State University-Bozeman Summary The proposed Pebble Mine, Alaska, is one of the world's biggest proven Cu-Au-Mo deposits. However, it is located at the headwaters of rivers that flow into ...

Geoethics Forums: The Grey Side of Green part of GeoEthics:Activities
Shaun Taylor, University of Washington / Educurious Summary Geoethics Forums is a format for a classroom discussion and creative resolution of an ethical issue. Students research a particular dilemma, identify ...

Ten Brief Cases With Ethical Issues part of GeoEthics:Activities
Vincent S. Cronin, Baylor University Summary Ten brief descriptions are provided of cases in which there appear to be ethical issues in the practice of geology. Most are drawn from engineering geology, but no ...

Ethics and Paleontology: Dinosaur Wars part of GeoEthics:Activities
Jim Schmitt, Montana State University-Bozeman Summary Dinosaur fossils capture the interest of students and the public, but their study, collection, and disposition often engender signficant highly-publicized ...

Does A River Have Rights? part of GeoEthics:Activities
Michael Phillips, Illinois Valley Community College Summary Individual students have different ethical "lines." This class discussion proceeds with a series of prompts that presents a set of scenarios ...

The Dark Side of Mineral Mining part of Teach the Earth:Teaching Activities
Students choose one of four short articles to read about mineral mining, including the impacts of mining on the Native American community in the region. Each article highlights a specific example where the ...