Embedding Opensource Computational Tools into the Quantitative Earth Science Specializations

TitleEmbedding Opensource Computational Tools into the Quantitative Earth Science Specializations
Faculty/College/UnitScience
StatusCompleted
Duration3 Years
Initiation04/01/2020
Completion04/30/2023
Funding Details
Year 1: Project YearYear 1
Year 1: Funding Year2020/2021
Year 1: Project TypeLarge TLEF
Year 1: Principal InvestigatorTara Ivanochko
Year 1: Funded Amount85,390
Year 1: Team Members

Tara Ivanochko, Senior Instructor, EOAS, Faculty of Science
Susan Allen, Professor, EOAS, Faculty of Science
Phil Austin, Associate Professor, EOAS, Faculty of Science
Roger Beckie, Professor, EOAS, Faculty of Science
Michael Bostock, Professor, EOAS, Faculty of Science
Eldad Haber, Professor, EOAS, Faculty of Science
Mark Jellinek, Professor, EOAS, Faculty of Science
Catherine Johnson, Professor, EOAS, Faculty of Science
Mark Johnson, Associate Professor, EOAS / Resources, Environment and Sustainability, Faculty of Science
Valentina Radic, Associate Professor, EOAS, Faculty of Science
Stephanie Waterman, Assistant Professor, EOAS, Faculty of Science
Sarah Bean Sherman, Science Education Specialist, EOAS, Faculty of Science
Alison Jolley, Science Teaching and Learning Fellow, EOAS, Faculty of Science

Year 1: Summary

The Faculty of Science (FoS) has a strategic goal to develop data science opportunities for undergraduate students in order to build their capacity and skills for future careers in industry and research. In alignment with that goal, EOAS has begun to incorporate open source computational tools and transform teaching practices to support hands-on interdisciplinary learning in data-driven scientific exploration. Using open source, cloud-based computing we aim to integrate computational and quantitative skills more comprehensively into the EOAS curriculum, incorporating real world examples and datasets into existing courses. New Jupyter notebook based modules and activities will be threaded throughout core courses in Geophysics, Atmospheric Sciences, Oceanography and Geological Engineering bridging traditional disciplinary boundaries. This proposed curriculum transformation will happen alongside a re-evaluation of quantitative EOAS course offerings across disciplines. The end result will reposition the UBC Earth Science specializations as opportunities for quantitative and computational learning in a highly interdisciplinary domain.

Year 1: TLEF ShowcaseYear 1: TLEF Showcase
Year 2: Project YearYear 2
Year 2: Funding Year2021/2022
Year 2: Project TypeLarge TLEF
Year 2: Principal InvestigatorTara Ivanochko
Year 2: Funded Amount90,607
Year 2: Team Members

Tara Ivanochko, Associate Professor of Teaching, EOAS, Faculty of Science
Susan Allen, Professor, EOAS, Faculty of Science
Phil Austin, Associate Professor, EOAS, Faculty of Science
Roger Beckie, Professor, EOAS, Faculty of Science
Michael Bostock, Professor, EOAS, Faculty of Science
Eldad Haber, Professor, EOAS, Faculty of Science
Mark Jellinek, Professor, EOAS, Faculty of Science
Catherine Johnson, Professor, EOAS, Faculty of Science
Mark Johnson, Associate Professor, EOAS / Resources, Environment and Sustainability, Faculty of Science
Valentina Radic, Associate Professor, EOAS, Faculty of Science
Stephanie Waterman, Assistant Professor, EOAS, Faculty of Science
Michael Lipsen, Lecturer, EOAS, Faculty of Science
Sarah Bean Sherman, Science Education Specialist, EOAS, Faculty of Science

Year 2: Summary

UBC’s Faculty of Science has a strategic goal to develop undergraduate data science opportunities that build forward-looking capabilities for careers in industry and research. In alignment with that goal, the Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (EOAS) has begun incorporating opensource computational tools, developing corresponding Open Education Resources, and transforming teaching practices to support hands-on interdisciplinary learning in data-driven scientific exploration and decision-making. Using opensource, cloud-based computing we are integrating computational and quantitative skills more comprehensively into the EOAS curriculum and incorporating real world situations and datasets into our courses. New Jupyter Notebook-based modules and activities will be threaded throughout core courses in Geophysics, Atmospheric Sciences, Environmental Science, Oceanography and Geological Engineering bridging traditional disciplinary boundaries. This curriculum transformation is happening alongside a re-evaluation of quantitative EOAS course offerings across disciplines. Results will reposition UBC’s EOAS specializations as attractive options where students gain quantitative and computational capabilities in a highly relevant, interdisciplinary domain.

Year 2: TLEF ShowcaseYear 2: TLEF Showcase
Year 3: Project YearYear 3
Year 3: Funding Year2022/2023
Year 3: Project TypeLarge TLEF
Year 3: Principal InvestigatorTara Ivanochko
Year 3: Funded Amount74,003
Year 3: Team Members

Tara Ivanochko, Associate Professor of Teaching, EOAS, Faculty of Science
Susan Allen, Professor, EOAS, Faculty of Science
Phil Austin, Associate Professor, EOAS, Faculty of Science
Roger Beckie, Professor, EOAS, Faculty of Science
Michael Bostock, Professor, EOAS, Faculty of Science
Eldad Haber, Professor, EOAS, Faculty of Science
Mark Jellinek, Professor, EOAS, Faculty of Science
Catherine Johnson, Professor, EOAS, Faculty of Science
Mark Johnson, Associate Professor, EOAS / Resources, Environment and Sustainability, Faculty of Science
Valentina Radic, Associate Professor, EOAS, Faculty of Science
Stephanie Waterman, Assistant Professor, EOAS, Faculty of Science
Lindsay Heagy, Assistant Professor, EOAS, Faculty of Science
Laura Lukes, Assistant Professor, EOAS, Faculty of Science

Year 3: Summary

This project is enhancing the learning of thousands of students by developing and implementing resources, teaching tactics and management strategies that support hands-on interdisciplinary learning in data-driven scientific exploration, computing, and decision-making. Learning modules and activities that use Jupyter Notebooks, Python and/or interactive dashboard apps involving real world contexts and datasets are being integrated into at least twenty EOAS core and elective courses spanning the Geophysics, Atmospheric Science, Climate, Environmental Science, Oceanography and Geological Engineering disciplines.

Results will reposition EOAS specializations and courses as attractive options in which students can gain highly relevant, versatile and interdisciplinary quantitative and computational capabilities. Efficient and sustainable practices for delivering and managing these sophisticated resources are being established, along with opensource professional development resources for instructors and teaching assistants.

Development involves collaboration with colleagues at UBC and beyond in opensource, cloud-based computing communities, and project outcomes will be made available as Open Education Resources.

Year 3: TLEF ShowcaseYear 3: TLEF Showcase
Project Report2022-TLEF-Final-Report-Ivanochko-WEB.pdf