fyres: dunes the first-year research in earth sciences (fyres): dunes project deanna van dijk...
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FYRES: Dunes
The First-Year Research in Earth Sciences (FYRES): Dunes ProjectDeanna van Dijk
Geology, Geography and Environmental StudiesCalvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Designing a New Undergraduate-Research-Focused Course
The FYRES Project
The FYRES course (Geog 181) has first-semester college students learning science by doing research on Lake Michigan coastal dunes.
The FYRES Research Mentor program has upper-level student majors mentoring the first-year students in learning/research activities.
Designing the FYRES course
Timeline
Ideas Proposal Funding(2009)
Course Development
Implementation and
AssessmentRevisions
Structure…Activities/Materials…Approvals(2010-2011)
Fall 2011Fall 2012Fall 2013
FYRES Course: Goals
The first-year geoscience course engages students in learning about the physical world through directed undergraduate research that focuses on Michigan coastal dunes.
The course goals are:
1. To improve student learning in a physical science core course,
2. To promote student understanding of science as inquiry,
3. To provide authentic undergraduate research experiences to first-year students,
4. To attract and retain undergraduate students in STEM disciplines of study, and
5. To improve the first-year college experience for students.
From van Dijk and Bruxvoort NSF proposal (May 2009)
FYRES Course: Learning Goals
Type of Goal The goals of Geog 181 are to provide students with:Knowledge • in-depth knowledge of a natural system (coastal dunes) and its relationship to
other natural systems and human activities• an understanding of science methodology, the creation of new knowledge, and the
role of science in society Skills and Abilities
• an ability to apply knowledge to research in real-world settings• an ability to select appropriate literature resources for scientific thinking and
communication• an ability to design scientific questions and construct logical, testable hypotheses• an ability to understand experimental design and conduct basic field and lab
procedures• skills in analyzing data and interpreting research results• skills in communicating science with written, oral and visual methods as expected
in a research environmentWorldview • preparation for informed participation in a society that has been deeply shaped by
science and technology.• an appreciation of God’s wisdom reflected through the wonders of the natural
world.Virtues • opportunities to practice the virtues of diligence, patience, honesty, courage,
creativity, humility, stewardship, wisdom, and gratitude.
FYRES Course: Structure
Fall semester
Spring semester
FYRES Lab 2
FYRES Course: at Calvin College
Approvals
Building working relationships
Course Need Institutional Office
Recruiting students Admissions
Scheduling class/lab timesRegistering students
Registrar’s Office
PublicityWebsite
Communications and Marketing
Transportation Physical Plant
Educational Policy CommitteeCore Curriculum Committee
course proposal
department Faculty Senateapproved
FYRES Outcomes: 2011-2013
56 first-year students had undergraduate research experiences
Research results are informing dune managers and scientists
Course attracted science (23) and non-science (23) students
Students report satisfaction and that the course met their expectations
16 FYRES students are geoscience majors
Learn more at www.calvin.edu/go/fyres/
• National Science Foundation Grant # 0942344
• Michigan Space Grant (2013, 2014)
• Geog 181 (FYRES) students• FYRES Research Mentors• Dr. Crystal Bruxvoort
Acknowledgements• Michigan Department of Natural
Resources• Ottawa County Parks and
Recreation• Land Conservancy of West Michigan• Kitchel-Lindquist Dunes Preserve
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