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