34 Bridging the Curriculum Divide: Using Geophysical Data and Field Methods in Undergraduate Courses to Anchor Theory and Application

Tuesday, 19 March 2013
10:40 AM - 12:00 PM
Gifford Room

COLLABORATION AND DATA INTEGRATION USING CYBERINFRASTRUCTURE AND WEB-BASED RESOURCES

Paper number: 34-4
Program: Theme Sessions
Time: 11:25 AM – 11:40 AM

Authors

Abstract

Students must acquire substantial background knowledge of sample collection, analysis techniques and geological context ability to conduct successful independent field research. Additionally, evaluating a specific research question requires the ability to synthesize multiple data layers. As a result, collaborative research and data sharing and data management become indispensable in developing problem-solving skills and fluency in the discipline. We present the results of an undergraduate collaborative research project carried out over six months as part of the required curriculum capstone. Eight students participated in fieldwork and subsequent independent laboratory projects including x-ray diffraction, remote sensing, water geochemistry, spectroscopy, and GIS to characterize a geothermal prospect in Idaho. Students combined their datasets using existing cyberinfrastructure and online tools. We will summarize results of student projects from data collection, metadata documentation, and online collaboration and report the course outcomes of the project and assessment scheme for the collaborative project.