Overview

Workshop Overview

This January 2026 online workshop aims to equip educators with the knowledge and tools to effectively integrate computation, specifically Python and open-source workflows, into their undergraduate geoscience curricula. The workshop is designed to address the growing need for computational skills in both academia and the workforce. The workshop does not require participants to have any prior experience with coding, although previous experience will make for a smoother experience.

The workshop will explore the benefits of using Python and open-source workflows for scientific endeavors and student training, emphasizing advantages such as cost-effectiveness, equity, transparency, and reproducibility. Participants will discuss the opportunities and challenges of incorporating computation in the sciences and the benefits and drawbacks of using Large Language Models (LLMs) for generating code. The workshop underscores that integrating computation helps students develop twenty-first century skills essential for the workforce and informed citizenship.

During the workshop, participants will build their own classroom activities in Jupyter notebooks, including both scientific and computational learning objectives. The workshop will guide participants as they adapt existing activities to a coding platform and will offer peer advice and troubleshooting during activity development. By the end of this workshop, educators will be better prepared to design and implement computational learning experiences that are both scientifically rigorous and pedagogically effective, helping students develop crucial skills for future success.

Goals

Participants will:

• Learn Python basics, including syntax, simple calculations, reading and storing data from files, and plotting data, using practical geoscience examples;
• Explore strategies for integrating computation and coding in geoscience courses to strengthen students' problem-solving skills;
• Collaborate and brainstorm about datasets or data sources that would motivate student engagement and serve as anchors for coding skills and algorithmic thinking;
• Start developing a classroom activity using Jupyter notebooks or Python, ensuring you leave the workshop with a solid framework and clear plan for completing the activity.

Attendees

This workshop is for up to 24 instructors who are interested in incorporating computational tools and methods into their undergraduate course(s). Community college and introductory-level instructors, as well as majors-level instructors, are all encouraged to apply.

Expectations

Participants in the workshop are expected to:

• Adhere to the SERC Code of Conduct
• Attend the entire online workshop (the workshop schedule includes breaks during sessions)

Format

The workshop will take place over Zoom. We will send Zoom connection information prior to the first meeting.

How to Apply

We are no longer accepting applications for this workshop.
The 24 participants will be selected based on their expressed interest in incorporating coding skills into their courses, and to achieve a workshop-wide variety of geoscience specializations, courses, student populations, institutional types, and computational skill interests.

Virtual Workshop conveners

Joanmarie Del Vecchio, College of William & Mary
Rory McFadden, Science Education Resource Center (SERC) at Carleton College

Dates

January 13-14 (Tuesday - Wednesday)
Time: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm EST / 10:00 am – 3:00 pm CST / 9:00 am – 2:00 pm MST / 8:00 am – 1:00 pm PST (includes breaks during sessions)

Costs

The workshop is free to attend.