Chapman students present physical geologyresearch projects to AP Environmental Scienceclass, Orange High School

Bringing Research into Your Classroom

Presenters:Chris Kim

Cindy Shellito

Why have your students do research in the classroom?

Considerations:What types of projects lend themselves well to

classroom research?How much time will it take?How much time do you have?What are your students capable of doing?What resources do you need?

What aspects of your own research can you bring into the classroom?

Can your students help you advance your research?

Tips for structuring a project for effective

learningSet well-defined goals – Make sure students see

value in the project

Have students complete project in stages

Provide regular/frequent feedback

Anticipate setbacks

Incorporate some aspect of peer review or collaboration

Example 1: Involving students in your own research using a short assignment(Student analysis of climate data)

Context:I have 4 recently completed climate modeling experiments that need analysis and comparison

Student Learning Objectives:• Students will be able to use a Linux

command line editor and run pre-written shell scripts

• Students will be able to create simple plots of an atmospheric field

• Students will be able to identify key differences between two modeling experiments through examination of figures.

Preparations:• I need to have scripts and

data files ready to go – free of errors

• Students need to know why the model experiments were run

• I need to draft up some detailed instructions for processing the data AND what types of things they should be looking for.My hopes: (1) Someone will be interested enough to want to do more as

independent study or as an undergrad research project! (2) Students will have a taste of what they might experience on a research project in the future.

Example 1: Involving students in your own research using a short assignment(Student analysis of climate data)

Example 2: Term Research Project – Climate Modeling

Context: Students test the limits of a new climate model that I am beginning to use for research. I know the model works, but I have not tested it extensively.

• Learning Objectives;Students learn how to run a climate model and analyze results

• Students understand how model works

• Students be able to communicate their results

“PLASIM”

Preparations:• I need to know the model works• I need to prepare detailed operating

instructions• I need to be ready for problems

(usually involve students not having read instructions)

• Students need to know enough about the model to design an experiment that is feasible with the model, gives us insight regarding the model and regarding climate

My hopes: Some of the experiments will provide insight regarding how I do my own research with this model. Some may even be used as control experiments. (2) I will learn much more about how the model works as a whole. (3) Students will learn how a single piece of the model works

Example 2: Term Research Project – Climate Modeling

Student-Initiated Research Projects in the Classroom

What are some characteristics/considerations of student-initiated research projects?

.

Student-Initiated Research Projects in the Classroom

Can range from: Intro to advanced/capstone levelFew weeks to full semester Individual to group to full-class projects

Primarily student-initiated and designed

Greatly benefit from:Multiple deadlinesPeer, professor feedbackClear rubrics, templates and evaluation forms

Timeframes and DeadlinesInclude in syllabus (with % grade allocation)

Clearly indicate timeframe of project

Provide multiple deadlines (with point allocations):Project proposal/outline (suggesting >1 idea gives

more flexibility)Detailed experimental method Initial resultsFull draftFinal report/presentationAdditional updates as necessaryTEMPLATES can help considerably!

The value (and effort) of revisions

Students’ experience with writing (reports) ≠

the real academic writing process

Revisions:Reflect actual scientific writingProvide a more sophisticated, higher quality

resultTake proportionally much more timeCan leverage peer evaluations to lessen faculty

time

Classroom research examples

Physical geology (General Education class):“Work in groups of no more than 4 to develop and

conduct a geologically-relevant experiment using techniques and concepts covered in ENV 111.”

Inorganic chemistry (majors course):“You will be sampling water sources around Chapman

University and analyzing them for dissolved metal content as a function of selected variables.”

Environmental science and policy capstone (senior project): See CURQuarterly online, Summer 2014“The goal of this senior capstone course will involve the

design, research, analysis, presentation, and publication of Chapman University's first campus environmental audit.”

Chapman students present physical geologyresearch projects to AP Environmental Scienceclass, Orange High School

Chapman students present physical geologyresearch projects to AP Environmental Scienceclass, Orange High School

Inorganic Chemistry research poster

1st env. science senior capstone course Spr. 2013

Audit launch, Chapman Univ.,May 2013

Audit presentation, CA Higher Education

Sustainability Conference, UCSB,

June 2013

ExerciseTurn to page 3-50 in your workbook

Complete 1st page, LAST question on 2nd page.

Presenting results: discussion

Oral vs. poster vs. paper

Peer evaluation vs. faculty evaluation

Internal presentations vs. to other groups (student research day, local high schools)

Individually vs. as a group