Can cohort experiences increase interest and participation in earth and environmental sciences at an urban undergraduate institution?

太平洋大学 (PACIFIC) 地球与环境科学系和学生生活办公室正在合作开发地球与环境生活和学习住宅 (REELL) 社区和支持课程。这个住宿学习社区（RLC）将专注于传统课堂之外的学习。 RLC 通常围绕小型、关系驱动的单位开发，以培养学生、教师和机构之间的社区意识。 REELL 社区的基本目标是提高人们对地球科学的兴趣和参与以及对环境问题的认识。 REELL 社区的本科生每学年将开展五项核心活动，包括： (1) 与邻近的一所设有地球与环境项目的大学（CSU Chico）进行校园间交流； (2) 提案驱动的研究项目； (3) 演讲嘉宾系列； (4) 向当地服务少数族裔的 K-12 学校和斯莱公园环境教育中心进行推广； (5) 项目成果和材料的传播。该项目预计将导致建立一个自我维持的 RLC，该 RLC 将加强研究和教育基础设施，补充 PACIFIC 的长期目标，并产生有助于太平洋以外其他地球和环境 RLC 发展的成果和材料。

The University of the Pacific (PACIFIC) Department of Earth and Environmental Science and Office of Student Life are collaborating to develop a Residence for Earth and Environmental Living and Learning (REELL) community and supporting curriculum. This residential learning community (RLC) will focus on learning outside the traditional classroom boundaries. RLCs are commonly developed around small, relationship-driven units that foster a sense of community between students, faculty, and the institution. The fundamental goal of the REELL community is to increase interest and participation in the geosciences and awareness of environmental issues. Undergraduate residents of the REELL community will conduct five core activities each academic year, including: (1) an inter-campus exchange with a neighboring university with an Earth and Environmental program (CSU Chico); (2) a proposal-driven research project; (3) a guest speaker series; (4) outreach to local, minority-serving K-12 schools and the Sly Park Environmental Education Center; and (5) the dissemination of project results and materials. This project is expected to lead to the establishment of a self-sustaining RLC that will enhance the research and education infrastructure and complement PACIFIC's long-term goals and generate results and materials that will assist in the development of other Earth and Environmental RLCs beyond PACIFIC.