Integrating Stable Isotope Geochemistry into the Geoscience Curriculum

将稳定同位素地球化学纳入地球科学课程

• 批准号: 0126661
• 负责人: Steven Dunn
• 金额: $ 5.7万
• 依托单位: Mount Holyoke College
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2002
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2002-06-01 至 2006-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0126661&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Integrating; Stable; Isotope; Geochemistry; into

Geology (42)A stable isotope laboratory is being developed at Mount Holyoke College, adapted from similar efforts underway at Colgate University and Colorado College. The facility is designed for undergraduate student use in geoscience courses and stable isotope geochemistry is being integrated into the curriculum. The facility includes a vacuum line for the extraction of CO2 from carbonates and from combusted graphite/organic matter for analysis by mass spectrometry at nearby University of Massachusetts. A new stable isotope facility at the University of Massachusetts is also being used for analysis of water. Two- to four-week inquiry-based modules are being incorporated into several existing courses, and a new stable isotope course is being added to the departmental offerings. Impacted courses include environmental science, history of earth, petrology, groundwater, and the biosphere. Our goals are to enhance student comprehension of geochemical processes and critical thinking skills through active participation in real investigations. As an institution of higher learning for women, we hope to increase science literacy among those choosing non-science career paths, as well as improve the laboratory experiences for those who remain in science. Inquiry-based group projects are being used to promote teamwork, communication, excitement of discovery, and life-long learning skills. A variety of assessment tools are being used and significant results disseminated through publications in journals and presentations at professional meetings.

根据科尔盖特大学和科罗拉多学院正在进行的类似工作，Mount Holyoke学院正在开发一个稳定同位素实验室。该设施是为本科生在地球科学课程中使用而设计的，稳定同位素地球化学正在整合到课程中。该设施包括一条真空线，用于从碳酸盐和燃烧的石墨/有机物质中提取二氧化碳，以便在附近的马萨诸塞大学进行质谱分析。马萨诸塞大学的一个新的稳定同位素设备也被用于分析水。两到四周的探究式模块被纳入了几个现有的课程，一个新的稳定同位素课程也被添加到院系的课程中。受影响的课程包括环境科学、地球史、岩石学、地下水和生物圈。我们的目标是通过积极参与实际调查，提高学生对地球化学过程的理解和批判性思维能力。作为一所女性高等学府，我们希望提高那些选择非科学职业道路的女性的科学素养，同时改善那些留在科学领域的女性的实验室体验。以探究为基础的小组项目被用来促进团队合作、沟通、发现的兴奋和终身学习技能。正在使用各种评估工具，并通过期刊出版物和在专业会议上的介绍传播重要的结果。