HR: 08:15h
AN: ED51C-02    [Abstracts]
TI: Case-History Explorations of Scientifically Significant Earth-System Events
AU: * Hall, M K
EM: hall@scieds.com
AF: Science Education Solutions, 4200 W Jemez Rd Suite 301, Los Alamos, NM 87522, United States
AU: Walker, C S
EM: scott.walker@fas.harvard.edu
AF: Harvard University Harvard Map Collection Harvard College Library, Pusey Library Harvard Yard Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States
AU: Mayhew, M A
EM: michael.mayhew@comcast.net
AF: Synoptic, LLC, 42 Island Edge Dr, Ocean City, MD 21842, United States
AB: We are developing case histories of recent and ancient natural disasters to provide students a means of learning fundamental earth system science and applying their new understanding to mitigating disasters in the future. We distinguish case histories from case studies in that they investigate real problems that are likely to recur, as opposed to hypothetical but realistic problem scenarios. Students explore the scientific and societal conditions that caused or fueled a disaster; investigate whether the outcome might have been different under different conditions; explore how the disaster has shaped our scientific and societal understanding of such events; and propose appropriate responses and preparation measures for future events. Each case history allows for multiple directions of investigation by individuals or teams. The case histories incorporate actual datasets used by scientists to analyze the event, in addition to analysis tools such as GIS, Excel, and Google Earth. These classroom resources are appropriate for undergraduate earth system majors from first year to third year. We have completed and are field testing case histories for the 1994 M6.7 Northridge earthquake and the Super Tornado Outbreak of 1974, as well as other notable tornado outbreaks. Additionally, we are developing case histories for the 1700 Cascadia mega-tsunami and the 2005 Hurricane Katrina. Research studies of each of these events have resulted in significant changes to our understanding of the earth processes that caused them, and have spawned renewed interest in hazard mitigation. Each case history also incorporates the human element, presented from both a scientific and eyewitness perspective. Field testing includes evaluation of scientific accuracy, usability and pedagogical effectiveness, as described in the DLESE peer-review-system criteria (www.dlese-project.org/review_criteria.html) by field testers and external technical experts.
DE: 0820 Curriculum and laboratory design
DE: 0825 Teaching methods
DE: 0840 Evaluation and assessment
SC: Education and Human Resources [ED]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting