Restructuring an Introductory Geology Laboratory Around Themes of Earth Systems

地质系正在开发一种方法，在这种方法中，实验室和实地模块而不是课堂讲课是教授科学方法的重点。正在介绍基础足够广泛的模块，以便与三门地质学入门课程的学生相关。独立实验室课程由六个单元组成，需要1至4节实验课程。每个模块都有一个主题，说明在看似不同的主题之间存在的复杂关系。学生通过对各种材料的综合分析来探索这些主题：岩石、矿物、地图、卫星图像、数据集等。实验室活动与直接的实地观察交织在一起。

The Geology Department is developing ane approach in which laboratory and field modules, rather than classroom lectures, serve as the focal point for teaching the scientific method. Modules sufficiently broad-based to be relevant for students in three introductory lecture courses in geology are being introduced. The independent laboratory course consists of six modules requiring 1 to 4 laboratory session. Each module has a theme illustrating the complex relationships which exist between seemingly disparate subjects. Students explore these themes through integrated analyses of a variety of materials: rocks, minerals, maps, satellite images, data sets, etc. The laboratory activities are interwoven with direct field observations.