Field-Based Learning Initiative in the Geographical Biogeosciences Program

TitleField-Based Learning Initiative in the Geographical Biogeosciences Program
Faculty/College/UnitArts
StatusCompleted
Duration1 Year
Initiation04/01/2010
Completion03/07/2011
Project Summary

The Biogeosciences, which include the disciplines of biogeography, climatology, geomorphology and hydrology, are field-based sciences focused on understanding the principles of and interactions between these disciplines in the study of the earth’s surface. While the basic principles of these disciplines can be taught within the context of traditional lecture- and lab-based courses, a deeper, more meaningful understanding requires that we leave the classroom to observe these systems in nature. Achieving an understanding of the interactions among all the components of these systems is really only practical outside the classroom. In order to increase the effectiveness of the Geographical Biogeosciences course offerings, we propose to develop a Field-Based Learning Initiative (FBLI) that will identify a number of new field trips, develop supporting material that can be access by instructors and students from an online field trip repository to ensure that the fieldtrips are regularly offered, and integrate these fieldtrips into the Geographical Biogeosciences courses. The goal of the FLBI is ensure that field trips are offered in nearly all of the upper-level GEOB courses.

Funding Details
Year 1: Project YearYear 1
Year 1: Funding Year2010/2011
Year 1: Project TypeSmall TLEF
Year 1: Principal InvestigatorBrett Eaton
Year 1: Funded Amount44,528
Year 1: Team Members

Brett Eaton, Geography, Faculty of Arts
Andreas Christen, Geography, Faculty of Arts
Lori Daniels, Geography, Faculty of Arts
Marwan Hassan, Geography, Faculty of Arts
Greg Henry, Geography, Faculty of Arts
Brian Klinkenberg, Geography, Faculty of Arts
Michele Koppes, Geography, Faculty of Arts
Ian McKendry, Geography, Faculty of Arts
Dan Moore, Geography, Faculty of Arts