Building Analytical Competence for Geoscience Students through use of Spectroscopic Tools

该项目是史密斯学院、霍利奥克社区学院和蒙特霍利奥克学院的一项合作努力，通过使用拉曼和傅里叶变换红外光谱仪，培养地球科学本科生的分析能力。台式和便携式光谱仪正在三所学院和该区域的其他学院之间共享，并被用于开发、实施和评估创新的教学模块，学生通过这些模块通过动手和研究性学习掌握知识。通过分析未知矿物和其他材料，综合数据和预测，并评估实验结果，学生不仅学习地质内容，而且还学习如何使用化学分析来解决相关问题。光谱知识和分析能力，在课程开发的目标是在国家的地球科学劳动力的需求越来越大。该项目通过与两所女子学院和一所社区学院的合作，为不同人群的非传统和第一代大学生提供服务，从而为扩大对地球科学的参与提供了直接好处。项目人员还通过一个门户网站、视频张贴和在国家会议上举办实践讲习班，向区域以外的地方传播其方法和课程模块。

The project, a collaborative effort among Smith College, Holyoke Community College and Mount Holyoke College, is building analytical competence in undergraduate geoscience students through use of Raman and FTIR spectrometers. Benchtop and portable spectrometers are being shared among the three colleges and others in the region, and are being used to develop, implement and assess innovative instructional modules through which students acquire mastery via hands-on, investigative learning. By analyzing unknown minerals and other materials, synthesizing data and predictions, and evaluating experimental results, students are learning not only geological content, but also how to use chemical analyses to solve relevant problems. The spectroscopic knowledge and analytical competencies that are targeted in the curriculum development are in increasing demand by the nation's geoscience workforce. The project is providing a direct benefit in broadening participation in the geosciences through its engagement with two women's colleges and a community college that serves a diverse population of non-traditional and first-generation college students. Project personnel are also disseminating their approach and curriculum modules beyond the region through a web portal, video postings, and hands-on workshops at national conferences.