Resources
Earth Sciences Resource of the Month Archive
Understanding the UK Mathematics Curriculum Pre-Higher Education: The Maths, Stats & OR Network, in conjunction with the Subject Centres for Bioscience, Engineering, Information and Computer Sciences, Materials and Physical Sciences, commissioned Mathematics in Education and Industry (MEI) to compile a mathematics guide. This outlines what students with given prior qualifications in mathematics are likely to know and be able to do and is written for those within the UK HE sector.
Recent Earthquake Teachable Moments: Chile Earthquake information and teaching resources.
Radio4 Broadcast: The Geological Formation of Britain - Melvyn Bragg and guests Richard Corfield, Jane Francis and Sanjeev Gupta discuss the geological formation of Britain.
Haiti Earthquake: USGS audiocast - On January 12, 2010, Haiti was struck by the most violent earthquake in a century. Michael Blanpied, associate coordinator for the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, answers questions about the earthquake, its severe shaking, and the possibility of additional hazards, such as landslides and a tsunami.
OpenGeoscience - a new web service from the BGS. Users are able to view high resolution geological maps and pull them into their own viewing systems, download photographs, software, research outputs and other geoscience information. All this is entirely free of charge for personal, teaching, research, and innovation purposes.
Experimental Online Site for the Journal of Geoscience Education - The September issue of JGE, a Special Issue on Thinking and Learning published under JGE's new guidelines, is now available online. This site offers several unique options that will enhance the community's ability to comment on articles in real time, facilitating an active discussion between scholars in the U.S. and around the world. Beneath each article you will see a box labeled "Post a Comment". Use this option to engage in a discussion about the article, ask the author questions, or suggest additional reading. You may also email article links by clicking on the SHARE link at the top of each page.
Teaching Quantitative Skills in the Geosciences - Helping students master skills ranging from simple arithmetic or graphing, to sophisticated use of equations and models is an integral aspect of teaching geoscience at the undergraduate level. This web site (from the Science Education Resource Center: SERC) provides information on the issues involved in teaching quantitative skills and methods for doing so as well as additional resources and a community of other colleagues who are all attempting this challenging task.
GeoScholar Digital Teaching Materials - GeoScholar is a digital teaching materials set aimed at supporting teaching and learning of earth sciences at UK universities. GeoScholar covers twelve of the most popular areas of classic UK geology (selected in consultation with the Committee of the Heads of UK Geology Departments). The GeoScholar data-set is supplied entirely free of charge, in ESRI format, on DVD.
Earth Learning Idea - This project aimed to put up a new idea for learning about the Earth every week during 2008 – the International Year of Planet Earth. Each of the ideas involves simple practical activities or ‘thought experiments’ that require minimal resources that can be found in almost any classroom. They are designed to educate pupils about the Earth in ways that will engage and interest them, while teaching important scientific or geographical principles and developing thinking skills.
Resources for Earth Sciences and Geography Instruction - This web site, maintained by Mark Francek at Central Michigan University contains a collection of links to classroom materials, visualizations, activities, labs, web sites, humour, etc. all targeted toward introductory earth science instruction. You can also subscribe to Dr. Francek’s “Earth Science Site of the Week” listserv.
Journal of Geoscience Education - The Journal of Geoscience Education (JGE) is the premier peer-reviewed publication for geoscience education research at the undergraduate and pre-college levels. JGE is the publication of record for National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT), and serves as the only international forum for the publication of research concerning the pedagogy, assessment, and philosophy of teaching and learning about the geosciences. JGE makes the full text of its articles available online as PDFs one year after the publication date. Full issues are available from 2001 onward with individual articles and issues available from before 2001.
Planet Earth Online – Environmental Research News from the Natural Environmental Research Council (NERC).
Planet Earth online is the free, companion website to the award-winning magazine Planet Earth published and funded by NERC. The site contains a number of elements that colleagues may find useful in their teaching. Of particular note are the News, Features and Special Reports, and Multimedia (video and audio clips) sections, all of which can be searched under the following categories: Atmosphere; Oceans; Geology; The Poles; Plants & Animals; and Land, Rivers & Lakes.
UK School Seismology Project - This British Geological Survey project is building a UK school seismometer system which is sensitive enough to detect the minute vibrations from earthquakes on the other side of the world and affordable enough for schools to purchase. Universities can get involved to act as regional centres with support from the BGS.
The First Day of Class - this website provides lots of information and ideas on engaging and motivating students from Day 1 plus a large collection of examples of activities for teaching various Earth Science topics.
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Fieldwork Locations and their Uses
In November 2005 the Committee of Heads of University Geoscience Departments (CHUGD) undertook a survey of fieldwork in UK geoscience undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. 15 universities responded providing, amongst other data, a list of fieldwork locations and their uses:
UK
- Avon Gorge: orientation
- Cornwall: basic field training, environmental geology, igneous & metamorphic
- Cornwall – Bude: structural geology
- Cumbria - Kirby Lonsdale: basic geological processes
- Devon: basic field techniques, hydrology
- Dorset: basic field techniques, basin analysis, sedimentology
- England - southwest: advanced field techniques & synthesis
- Lake District: mapping, basic field techniques, environmental impact assessment, engineering geology
- Malverns - Wrekin: igneous and metamorphic geology
- Mendips: geophysics
- North Yorkshire - Malham: environmental geoscience
- North Yorkshire - Ingleton: mapping training
- Norfolk: Quaternary geology, coastal hazards, sedimentology
- Northumberland: synthesis and basin development
- Oxfordshire: basic field techniques
- Peak District: basic field techniques, industrial geology, palaeoenvironmental studies, engineering geology
- Scotland - Arran: basic field techniques
- Scotland – Ballachulish, Glen Coe, Onich: basic field techniques, Structural mapping, igneous & metamorphic
- Scotland – north coast: basic field techniques
- Scotland – northeast: basic field techniques
- Scotland - Scourie, Skye, Oban, Assynt, Durness: basic field techniques, advanced field techniques, synthesis & basin development, Quaternary geology, independent mapping
- Trent valley: industrial geology
- Wales - Anglesey: advanced field techniques, structural geology, environmental impact assessment
- Wales - north: orientation, volcanology, mapping
- Wales - south: basic field techniques, sedimentology, logging, mapping training, independent mapping
Overseas
- Alps: mapping, geodynamics, basin analysis
- Bulgaria: independent mapping
- Cyprus: ocean crust, independent mapping, synthesis
- France - Brittany: metamorphic geology, geophysics, mapping training
- France – Provence: structural geology/tectonics, independent mapping
- France – south: mapping training
- Greece: active tectonics
- Greece - Naxos, Santorini: petrology
- Greece - Syros: independent mapping
- Ireland – Connemara: independent mapping
- Ireland - Donegal: advanced field techniques
- Ireland - Munster: basin sedimentology
- Ireland – West: basic field techniques
- Italy - Naples: basic field techniques (environmental)
- Pyrenees - North & South: independent mapping, synthesis
- Sicily: volcanology, geohazards
- Spain - Almeria: basic field techniques, mapping, neotectonics, sedimentation
- Spain - Betics: structural and metamorphic geology
- Spain - Cantabrian Mountains: mapping training, independent mapping
- Spain – Catalan coastal ranges: basic field techniques
- Spain – central: mapping training
- Spain - Minorca: independent mapping
- Spain - Tenerife: volcanology, geophysics, hazards, soil science
- Tunesia: advanced environmental geoscience
- USA – California: neotectonics
- USA – Colorado: independent mapping
- USA – Florida: environmental geoscience
- USA - Portland Oregon: hydrology
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News Archive
- Earth Science Education Research: Dr Roger Trend in the Education Department at Oxford University is carrying out research into the interests and educational choices of UK Earth science undergraduates. He would like to be able to extend the survey to cover all UK university Earth science departments (or equivalent). The main instrument is a very short questionnaire which takes 5 minutes. Some interviews are also being held. If you or your department would be willing to participate in questionnaires and/or interviews, please contact Roger at roger.trend@education.ox.ac.uk
- EarthTrek™: Global Citizen Science Program Set to Launch: The GSA is leading a new worldwide initiative to connect the general public with scientists studying a variety of global, regional, and local topics by engaging communities in collecting much-needed field data. Along with reaping the benefits of the work of thousands of volunteers on the ground, EarthTrek aims to raise science literacy and provide encouragement for young people to pursue science careers by providing real science experience. Free registration is now open for the first three EarthTrek projects—the Gravestone Project, the Garlic Mustard Field Survey, and Operation RubyThroat—which begin 1 July.
- BS 8848: a specification for the provision of visits, fieldwork, expeditions, and adventurous activities outside the UK: The amended version of BS 8848 has now been published and is available for purchase via the BSI website. Known as BS 8848:2007 + A1:2009 it supersedes BS 8848:2007, which has now been withdrawn.
It includes the recommendations made as a result of the recent review, some clarification on assessing third party providers, and a helpful self-assessment checklist.
Discounts are available for charitable, educational and public sector organisations. For HE
info4education or Athens subscribers access to BS 8848:2007 + A1:2009 should be available through institutional libraries. - In the News: "It's official: geology rocks" - Guardian.co.uk article 11-09-08. In the latest National Student Survey 95% of geologists said they were happy with their degree
- Can you help? Research Project: Experiences of Earth Scientists with 'disabling' conditions.
We are conducting a research project exploring experiences of academics and researchers with "a physical or mental [condition] that has a substantial and long-term... effect on... day-to-day activities" (UK Disability Discrimination Act 2004, part I). The project is funded by the UK Higher Education Academy's Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (GEES) Subject Centre. If you work within a GEES discipline, and have personal experience any 'disabling' condition (this might include: long-term illness; mobility difficulties; sensory impairments; mental health problems; compulsive behaviours; alcohol/substance misuse; learning/communication difficulties; 'hidden' disabilities), please consider completing our anonymous online survey via the following link: https://survey.northampton.ac.uk/gees_project
Responses will be handled confidentially and sensitively. Findings from the survey will be used to produce case study and training materials for use within GEES disciplines. If you require the questionnaire in an alternative format, please email john.horton@northampton.ac.uk
Many thanks,
Faith Tucker and John Horton (The University of Northampton) - Call for papers: "Qualitative Inquiry in Geoscience Education Research": The Geological Society of America has commissioned a Special Papers volume: "Qualitative Inquiry in Geoscience Education Research".This volume is the first of its kind, and we hope it will become a key reference in the literature for future workers exploring qualitative inquiry. The deadline for initial abstracts is Friday 27th March 2009.
- Geological Society 'Lyell Essay Prize': The Geological Society has introduced the Lyell Essay Prize for the best 3000 word essays submitted by an Undergraduate Earth Science Student: First Prize £1000, Second Prize £500, Third Prize £250. 2008 title: “The Past’s Key” - Lyell’s conception of uniformitarianism has undergone many modifications. But, as the world changes around us, to what extent has the geological past become the key to humanity’s future? Closing Date for submissions – 31st March 2009
- Earth Science Recruitment / Outreach Survey 2008
This survey is now closed and an analysis report will be published shortly. If you wish to contribute a response from your department please email Helen King (helen@helenkingconsultancy.co.uk).
- Geological Field Skills Staff Training Course: 23rd - 27th March 2009, BGS Nottingham. This fieldcourse is now full. There is a reserve list and, if there is enough interest, we will be running this event again in the new academic year. To add your name to the list or express interest in a future event, please email Jim Andrews (jra2@noc.soton.ac.uk) or Helen King (helen@helenkingconsultancy.co.uk).
- Research on Thinking and Learning in the Geosciences. Special Issue of
the Journal of Geoscience Education - CALL FOR PAPERS: This special issue seeks contributions that bring insights from cognitive and learning sciences to bear on the challenges of thinking, learning, and teaching about the Earth and environment. Contributions are invited on aspects of thinking and learning that are distinctive to geosciences particularly systems, spatial and temporal thinking, learning in the field and knowledge integration and interdisciplinary problem-solving. The submission deadline is December 31, 2008 - Earth Science Recruitment / Outreach Survey 2008
Student recruitment is a key issue for many Earth Science departments in UK higher education. A variety of strategies are employed to attract students both to the discipline and to individual institutions. The GEES Subject Centre is keen to support this work and, in the first instance, is undertaking this survey to identify and promote effective models of practice.
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