Points out that course planning for a student-learning course must address cooperative learning and other strategies as well as how to integrate the instructional strategies. (Contains 23 references.) (DDR)

Suggests an integrated approach to make science teaching and learning more effective, interesting and motivating to students. Argues that team teaching by physics and geology departments enables students to learn concepts and principles of physics and apply them to solve geological problems facing the local community. Reports that a typical…

Recognizes the desire to discuss current environmental issues as a significant learning motive. Describes a course in which a student debates facilitate learning. A student moderator conducts debates between two groups of students, and the debates are organized using lecture material, internet searches, numerical analysis, and research projects.…

Examines combined departments of geology and geography, a structure present at numerous 4-year institutions, using a survey of department chairs and heads. Explores the reasons behind the combined departments; advantages, challenges, and disadvantages of the structure; and steps taken by chairs to promote the success of their multidisciplinary…

Adapts three high-interest activities using biogenic and physical traces in the re-creation of past events that were created to help develop student understanding of the process of science without sacrificing substantive geoscience content. Presents adaptations of human footprints, dinosaur tracks, and sliding rock trails investigations. (Contains…

Discusses climate change during the Little Ice Age as experienced during several historical events, including the settlement and demise of the Norse Greenland colonies, the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, and both the Battle of Trenton and Washington's encampment at Valley Forge during the American Revolution. Associated artistic and literary…

Introduces a package of six interrelated units on plate tectonics and earthquakes. The Seismic Sleuths curriculum contains hands-on activities integrating math, earth science, and social studies. Units cover personal experience as well as the science of earthquakes while students also construct buildings to study earthquake resistance. One…