Fall 2009 Colloquia and Seminars - Chris Gerbi – Oct. 5

Center for Science and Mathematics Education Research
Colloquia & Seminar Series

Presents

Christopher Gerbi
Assistant Professor of Mineralogy/Rheology
Dept. of Earth Sciences, University of Maine

Cross-disciplinary concepts: the view from Earth Sciences

Many scientific and mathematical concepts cross disciplinary boundaries, appearing in different forms in different subject areas, but with traditional pedagogical roots in a particular course.  Despite the

cross-disciplinary nature of many of these concepts, they are not frequently transfered between subjects.  Earth science teachers commonly spend class time developing certain basic physical, chemical, and

mathematical relationships to which students had originally been exposed in earlier courses.  At the same time, teachers of other subjects often seek applications for abstract concepts.  Comprehensive district-wide curriculum design can address some of these shortcomings, but is not generally practiced for a variety of reasons.  With the individual instructor in mind, I present some examples of Earth science processes and concepts that require a foundation in other fields.  These examples can serve both as reminders of some concepts common to many fields and also as vehicles for developing learning modules based on Earth science applications.

Monday, October 5, 2009
3:00 pm
Arthur St. John Hill Auditorium
Room 165, Engineering and Science Research Building