Improving undergraduate student critical thinking and ability to solve environmental problems with fossil records through FossilSketch application

该项目旨在通过使用FossilSketch应用程序改善学生在地球科学课程中的学习来服务于国家利益。FossilSketch是一个基于网络的微体古生物学教学软件，可以训练学生使用微体化石进行标本鉴定和生态解释的基础知识。这些技能对于环境影响研究，能源行业的应用非常重要，并且是了解我们海洋生态系统的过去，现在和未来的基础。该项目的目标是改进FossilSketch软件的试点版本，使其能够自我维持，用于不同的科学课程（例如，生物学、地质学和环境科学）。这个“学生学习2级”项目旨在加强学生的学术经验，他们对STEM职业轨迹的兴趣，以及他们用化石记录解决环境问题的能力。FossilSketch为学生提供了一个灵活的环境来练习，监控他们的进度，并接收个人反馈。FossilSketch应用程序的改进版本旨在为地球科学教育工作者提供一个协作的工作环境，以便上传和共享不同课程的微体化石收藏和教育活动。该项目借鉴了自我调节学习的原则，旨在通过FossilSketch应用程序来加强和支持学生的学习，自我调节和知识保留。收集的数据将有助于更深入地了解地球科学的自我调节。FossilSketch将在德克萨斯A M大学进行介绍和评估，这是一所拥有多元化学生群体的HSI。FossilSketch在线模块将允许将其集成到大规模开放在线课程中。高中教师和其他教育工作者将通过外联活动受到影响。NSF IUSE：EDU计划支持研究和开发项目，以提高所有学生STEM教育的有效性。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project aims to serve the national interest by improving students’ learning in geosciences classes using the FossilSketch application. FossilSketch is web-based educational software for teaching micropaleontology that trains students in the basics of specimen identification and ecological interpretations using microfossils. These skills are important for environmental impact studies, applications in energy resource industries, and as a foundation for understanding the past, present, and future of our oceanic ecosystems. The goal of the project is to improve the pilot version of FossilSketch software to make it self-sustainable for general use in different science courses (e.g., biology, geology, and environmental science). This Engaged Student Learning Level 2 project aims to strengthen student academic experiences, their interest in STEM career trajectories, and their ability to solve environmental problems with fossil records. FossilSketch provides students a flexible environment to practice, monitor their progress, and receive individual feedback. The improved version of the FossilSketch application seeks to provide geoscience educators with a collaborative working environment to upload and share microfossil collections and educational activities for different courses.Drawing on principles of self-regulated learning, this project is designed to enhance and support students’ learning, self-regulation, and knowledge retention using the FossilSketch application. The collected data will contribute to deeper understanding of self-regulation in geosciences. FossilSketch will be introduced and evaluated at Texas A&M University, an HSI with a diverse student population. The FossilSketch online module will allow for integrating it into Massive Open Online Courses. High school teachers and other educators will be affected through outreach activities. The NSF IUSE: EDU Program supports research and development projects to improve the effectiveness of STEM education for all students. Through the Engaged Student Learning track, the program supports the creation, exploration, and implementation of promising practices and tools.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.