Improving Instruction in Geochemistry Using Project-Based Learning and Modern Analytical Techniques.

在本科教学中使用复杂仪器的有效性接近真实的科学研究具有挑战性或开放式的问题已经证明了在汉普郡学院，阿尔弗雷德大学和罗格斯大学的NSF资助的项目的成功。先进仪器是现代地球化学的重要组成部分。该项目将使用新的分析仪器，主要是ICP-AES和离子色谱法（IC）来实施地球化学教学的变革。 美国国家科学基金会资助的类似设备已成功地应用于东爱达荷州技术学院、迈诺特州立大学、加州州立大学富勒顿分校和休斯顿大学的教学课程。在马萨诸塞州大学，我们已经调整了我们的ICP-AES和离子色谱（IC）仪器，以实现基于项目的学习，在地球科学课程的地球化学的教学和学习。 这些变化包括：1）将环境调查和分析作为地质学入门的实验练习; 2）在地球化学入门中使用短期调查，让学生体验分析技术; 3）重新设计地球化学高级课程（水和环境地球化学;沉积地球化学），重点是大型，涉及研究设计，实施和分析的学期项目; 4）在本科生荣誉课程和独立项目中使用先进的分析技术; 5）在水文地质学和环境地质学课程中增加地球化学部分。这些调整有更好地准备本科地球科学专业的环境行业就业或发展他们的研究职业技能的额外好处。

The effectiveness of using complex instrumentation in undergraduate teaching in tasks approaching real scientific research with challenging or open-ended problems has been demonstrated by the success of NSF-funded projects at Hampshire College, Alfred University, and Rutgers University. Advanced instrumentation is an integral part of modern geochemistry. and this project will use new analytical instrumentation, principally ICP-AES and ion chromatography (IC) to implement changes in the teaching and learning of geochemistry. The use of similar NSF-funded equipment has been successfully applied to teaching courses at Eastern Idaho Technical College; Minot State University; California State University, Fullerton; and the University of Houston. At the University of Massachusetts we have adapted our ICP-AES and ion chromatography (IC) instrumentation to implement project-based learning in the teaching and learning of geochemistry in courses in the Geosciences curriculum. The changes effected include: 1) incorporating environmental investigation and analysis as a laboratory exercise in introductory geology; 2) using short investigations in introductory geochemistry to give students experience in analytical techniques; 3) re-designing upper-level courses in geochemistry (Aqueous and Environmental Geochemistry; Sedimentary Geochemistry) to focus on large, semester-long projects involving research design, implementation and analysis; 4) using of advanced analytical techniques in undergraduate honors programs and independent projects; and 5) adding a geochemical component to projects in courses concerned with hydrogeology and environmental geology. These adaptations have the added benefit of better preparing undergraduate geoscience majors for employment in the environmental industry or for developing their skills for research careers.