Actively Engaging Undergraduates in Geologic Problem Solving by Integrating Petrographic Microscopy and Digital Image Analysis into an Earth Systems Science Curriculum

地质学（42）利用由NSF，AGU和凯克财团（NSF，1996年）共同支持的研讨会的建议，西俄勒冈州大学最近实施了一个基础广泛的，综合的地球系统科学方法，本科生地球科学教育，这是一个独特的计划，在俄勒冈州。这种最先进的课程转变的主要目标之一是让本科地球科学专业的学生参与“做科学”的过程（NSF，1996年）。本课程改进项目的主要目标是适应和实施积极的，以探究为基础的方法来教学矿物学和岩石学在这个新的地球系统科学课程的背景下。这种教学模式将地质问题解决与岩石显微镜和数字图像分析集成在岩石学入门课程中，作为地球科学专业地球材料研究的基础。使用薄切片作为地质数据库，地球科学专业的学生变得精通进行观察，识别科学问题，提出可以使用基于计算机的技术进行测试的工作假设，并通过多媒体演示系统和书面报告在全班讨论中捍卫他们的结果。为了实现这一创新的教学模式，岩相显微镜和数码相机与计算机，数字图像分析软件，和一套学生岩相显微镜接口。除了岩石学课程，这种仪器被广泛用于基础广泛的本科地球系统科学课程，并被用于旨在向K-12学生和科学教育工作者展示显微镜和数字图像分析的激动人心的世界的推广活动。

Geology (42)Using the recommendations from a workshop supported jointly by NSF, AGU, and the Keck Consortium (NSF, 1996), Western Oregon University recently implemented a broad-based, integrated Earth systems science approach to undergraduate geoscience education that is a unique program in the state of Oregon. One of the key objectives of this state-of-the-art curriculum shift is to engage undergraduate Earth Science majors in the process of "doing science" (NSF, 1996). The primary objective of this course improvement project is to adapt and implement an active, inquiry-based approach to teaching mineralogy and petrology within the context of this new Earth systems science curriculum. This pedagogical model integrates geologic problem solving with petrographic microscopy and digital image analysis in an introductory petrology course that serves as the foundation for the study of Earth materials in the Earth Science major. Using thin sections as a geologic database, Earth Science majors become proficient in making observations, identifying scientific problems, proposing working hypotheses that can be tested using computer-based technologies, and defending their results in class-wide discussions via multi-media presentation systems and written reports. To implement this innovative pedagogical model, a petrographic microscope and digital camera are interfaced with a computer, digital image analysis software, and a set of student petrographic microscopes. In addition to the petrology course, this instrumentation is being widely utilized throughout the broad-based, undergraduate Earth systems science curriculum and is being used for outreach activities that are designed to showcase the exciting world of microscopy and digital image analysis to K-12 students and science educators.