UNM Summer 2010 Science Courses for Teachers:

Semester Long Classes

(June 7, 2010 through July 31, 2010)

 

NTSC 400: Earth Systems Science for Educators

Dates:

June 7, 2010 - July 31, 2010

Where:

Online class w/ teleconference meetings and field trips

Instructor:

Dr. Matthew W. Nyman, Natural Science Program and Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of New Mexico

Class Description:

Welcome to the Earth System Science class.  The main focus of this class will be investigating the concept of the Earth as a System.  In this paradigm, the Earth system is separated into four (or five) different spheres and the processes that occur on the Earth are the result of an "event" that produces perturbations that affect all the spheres.  During this class we will be investigating different "real life" scenarios or events in the context of a problem based learning (PBL) strategy and, perhaps, other inquiry-based instructional strategies.  The general goals for this class are: 1) to work as a community of science educators to increase our knowledge of earth systems and; 2) to develop skills and lesson plans in the PBL strategy that will be useful in our classrooms.  At least 1 field trip will be required for this class where participants will examine field examples of the interaction between the Earth's spheres.

Logistics:

This is a 3 credit class and must be taken for credit. No deposit is required for this class. Full tuition waivers and travel money for field trips are available for this class. All participants must register as UNM students (register website) and complete a survey available at the Extended University website (EU website). Class meetings will occur at regular times during the class and students are required to have a working headset (with microphone and earphones). Access to a high speed Internet connection (DSL or cable) is strongly recommended. Enrollment in this class is limited to 20 participants.