ERIC Number: EJ1164631
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010-Sep
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1089-9995
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Incorporating a Watershed-Based Summary Field Exercise into an Introductory Hydrogeology Course
Fryar, Alan E.; Thompson, Karen E.; Hendricks, Susan P.; White, David S.
Journal of Geoscience Education, v58 n4 p214-220 Sep 2010
We have developed and implemented a summary field exercise for an introductory hydrogeology course without a laboratory section. This exercise builds on lectures and problem sets that use pre-existing field data. During one day in April, students measure hydraulic heads, stream and spring flow, and stream-bed seepage within the rural watershed of a third-order perennial stream in western Kentucky. Students calculate net specific discharge at various scales, map groundwater flow in the watershed, and calculate vertical hydraulic gradients at the mouth of the watershed, where the stream enters a reservoir (Kentucky Lake). Distinctive features of the exercise include hydraulic head measurements in large-diameter domestic wells and in piezometers installed in the reservoir embayment. Kentucky Lake is raised ~ 2 m shortly before the field trip, thus providing an analog of bank storage. Former students who responded to a questionnaire indicated that the exercise was worthwhile. The exercise was based at a biological field station but could be completed at any field site where long-term hydrologic monitoring is in place or could be initiated.
Descriptors: College Students, Science Education, Geology, Field Experience Programs, Summer Programs, Introductory Courses, Water, Natural Resources, Science Process Skills, Science Activities, Questionnaires, Outcomes of Education, Instructional Effectiveness
National Association of Geoscience Teachers. Carleton College W-SERC, One North College Street, Northfield, MN 55057. Tel: 540-568-6675; Fax: 540-568-8058; e-mail: jge@jmu.edu; Website: http://nagt-jge.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: US Department of Energy
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Kentucky
Grant or Contract Numbers: DEFC0291ER75661
Author Affiliations: N/A