Development of a Novel, Problem-Based Forensic Geology Laboratory for Earth Science and Forensic Chemistry Students Utilizing XRD Analysis

学科：地球系统科学(40)这个项目正在开发一门以项目为基础的法医地质学实验室课程，讲授水平对任何学生都适用，向学生介绍地球科学的原理及其在法医学中的应用，使地球科学和科学教育专业的学生能够以一种新的方式应用他们的知识。本课程使用研究级X射线衍射仪(X射线衍射仪)和其他分析仪器，并强调团队学习，学生以小组形式工作，个人在课程的某些方面充当“团队专家”。研究级的X射线衍射仪对于这项工作是必要的，因为它可以进行微观衍射和薄膜分析，这是当前一代紧凑型衍射仪所缺乏的能力。法医地质学课程的学生使用X射线衍射仪分析土壤、煤炭和/或矿石，以确定来源区域；确定化妆品和涂料中的矿物；分析建筑材料和安全绝缘材料；以及追踪污染物的来源。在矿物学和应用环境方法的现有课程中也纳入了X射线衍射学。该项目的学术价值包括通过真实世界的例子向学生介绍地球科学，并对他们进行法医地质学原理培训，提高对这一学科的认识。利用法医学和地球科学的创造性结合产生的更广泛的影响应该会加强科学教育，这种方法的独特性预计将吸引更多的学生参加地球科学课程，并增加几个学科的本科生对地质学的理解。

Discipline: Earth System Science (40)This project is developing a project-based laboratory course in Forensic Geology, presented at a level that is accessible to any student, which introduces students to the principles of Earth Science and their application to forensic science, which allows Earth Science and Science Education majors to apply their knowledge in a novel way. The course makes use of a research-grade X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and other analytical instruments, and emphasizes team learning, with the students working in groups where individuals act as "team experts" on some aspect of the course. A research-grade XRD is necessary to this work because it can perform micro-diffraction and thin film analysis, capabilities that the current generation of compact diffractometers lack. Students in the Forensic Geology course use the XRD to analyze soils, coals and/or ores to identify source areas; to identify the minerals in cosmetics and paints; to analyze building materials and safe insulation; and to track the origin of contaminants. The XRD is also being incorporated into existing courses in Mineralogy and Applied Environmental Methods. The intellectual merit of the project includes introducing students to Earth Science via real world examples, and training them in the principles of forensic geology, raising awareness of this discipline. The broader impact of utilizing the inventive combination of forensics and earth science should enhance science education and the uniqueness of this approach is expected to attract more students to an Earth Science course and increase understanding of geology among undergraduates in several disciplines.