Quantitative Geochemical Laboratory Experiences in the Undergraduate Geology Curriculum

弗曼大学目前正在修改其课程，以反映美国宇航局咨询委员会建议的地球系统方法。由于地球系统方法涉及到复杂的地球化学概念的教学，因此有必要将分析仪器、地球化学分析过程和数据解释纳入每节课。这个项目的重点是开发一个综合的、以解决问题为基础的课程，在这个课程中，地球化学概念的复杂性和对样本分析的参与将随着学生在课程中的学习而增加。目前的教育学研究表明：(1)解决问题可以提高学习记忆和批判性思维能力；(2)积极参与合作学习环境将吸引女性和少数民族进入科学领域。因此，获得一个新的全自动x射线荧光（XRF）单元将对地球和环境科学系产生重大影响，使学生能够通过综合现场和实验室练习和研究项目发现地球化学原理。在入门阶段，学生将通过演示样品制备和分析来了解地球化学分析，然后解释以前实地考察中看到的岩石数据集。在高级水平上，在系里有一个XRF单元，使教师能够在学生学习专业的过程中赋予他们越来越多的样品制备和分析的责任。学生收集的数据可以用来说明岩浆结晶和风化等地质过程中地壳元素的划分。XRF单元几乎可以用于所有专业的课程，包括土材料、高级土材料、沉积地质学、矿床和地球化学野外课程。由于积极的参与式学习对课程很重要，所有学生在其整个职业生涯中都参与研究项目，并以独立的研究项目结束。XRF单元使参与地球化学研究的学生能够参与数据解释之外的研究过程。

Furman University is currently revising its curriculum to reflect the earth systems approach suggested by the NASA advisory council. As the earth systems approach involves the teaching of sophisticated geochemical concepts, it is necessary to incorporate analytical instrumentation, the process of geochemical analysis, and data interpretation into each of the classes. This project focuses on developing an integrated, problem-solving-based curriculum in which the sophistication of geochemical concepts and participation in sample analysis will increase as the student moves through the curriculum. Current research in pedagogy indicates that (1) problem solving increases learning retention and critical thinking ability and (2) active participation in a cooperative learning environment will attract women and minorities into the sciences. Therefore, the acquisition of a new, fully automated x-ray fluorescence (XRF) unit will have a major impact on the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department by allowing students to discover geochemical principles through integrated field and laboratory exercises and research projects. At the introductory level, students are being introduced to geochemical analysis through demonstration of sample preparation and analysis, followed by interpretation of a data set from rocks seen on previous field trips. At the advanced level, the presence of an XRF unit in the department enables faculty to give increasingly more responsibility for sample preparation and analysis to the students as they progress through the major. Data collected by the students can be used to illustrate the partitioning of elements in the Earth's crust by geologic processes such as magma crystallization and weathering. The XRF unit can be used in nearly all courses for majors including earth materials, advanced earth materials, sedimentary geology, ore deposits, and a field-based course in geochemistry. As active, participatory learning is important to the curriculum, all students participate in res earch projects throughout their career, finishing with an independent research project. The XRF unit enables students involved in geochemical research to be involved in the process of research beyond data interpretation.