Abstract

When classroom exercises leap off the textbook page and go beyond "canned" projects, student engagement in the lesson and application of the lesson exponentially increases. Establishing this experiential context for learning about the environment creates a connection between the outside world around us and the inside world of technology, creating a driver of scientific inquiry that can be initiated from either direction. Here, we utilize the recent expansion of energy exploration in Pennsylvania, specifically of the Marcellus Shale, to enhance interest in the Earth sciences. We combine place-based learning techniques and teach the complete cycle of data, from collection to publication to analysis to reuse.  For more:  https://nagt.org/nagt/publications/trenches/v7-n4/online_extra.html

Citation

Williams Jennifer Z., Dykhoff Sharon, Pollak Jonathan, and Brantley Susan L. (2017): ONLINE EXTRA: Bringing the Outdoors In: Application of Hydrogeology Education Tools. In The Trenches, 7(4):online.