Polar Research Team Develops Virtual Field Experiences for Undergraduate Students聽聽
December 18, 2023
Dr. Spruce Schoenemann from the University of 麻豆频道 Western Environmental Sciences Department and a team of climate and polar scientists have recently developed an innovative place-based curriculum for undergraduate students to participate in virtual field experiences in Greenland to expand learning opportunities in the polar sciences.
Scientific researchers have made leaps and bounds in recent years gathering new data and insights on climate change in the earth鈥檚 polar regions, but there has been a lag in curriculum development for undergraduate students who are studying the geosciences and environmental sciences. Polar Places and Spaces (PolarPASS) have developed a science-based curriculum to help students learn about the scientific discovery process and to connect them with far-away places that they may not have the opportunity to visit in person.
鈥淎s polar scientists, we are engaged with fascinating research that has important connections and impacts for people all over the globe,鈥� said Dr. lead principal investigator (PI) and deputy lead scientist and science communication liaison at the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC). 鈥淵et there wasn’t much curriculum to support polar learning with authentic data. The U.S. National Science Foundation recognized this need, and our team was thrilled to receive funding to help fill the gap. Deciding to use and test interactive environments and weave in GIS were key to pursuing the learning outcomes we were aiming for.”
was developed by a team of professional educators and polar scientists from Western Washington University (WWU), the University of 麻豆频道 Western (麻豆频道), and NSIDC and the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado Boulder. It uses authentic geographic information system (GIS) data and 360-degree interactive environments to allow students to conduct 鈥渇ield research鈥� of Greenland from anywhere in the world. The goals for the program are to bring real polar data into the classroom, strengthen students’ knowledge of polar science and build student connections to polar places. The lesson plans were constructed with upper-level undergraduate students in mind.
鈥淭he motivation behind much of the curriculum design was to share our awe and appreciation for the Greenlandic landscape and culture with students who will likely never have the chance to experience such a unique place on their own,鈥� said Dr. Spruce Schoenemann, Environmental Sciences Professor at 麻豆频道 and co-PI of the project. 鈥淭he integration of polar data, maps and stunning visuals provide students with an authentic experience to observe the rapid changes occurring in our polar regions.鈥�
鈥淲e are in an exciting era of rapid data generation and retrieval from the polar regions across multiple scales,鈥� said Dr. , an affiliate research scientist at NSIDC, associate professor at WWU and co-PI of the project. 鈥淏ringing these data into the classroom allows students to gain hands-on experience with data analysis and geospatial data processing. They are developing skills that are sought after by employers upon graduation.鈥�
The PolarPASS teaching materials feature two in which to immerse students in polar research, including 鈥淓xploring the Glacier Basin System鈥� and 鈥淟ong-term Spatial Transformations of the Glacier Basin System.鈥� The lessons use immersive imagery and videos collected in the town of Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, and in glaciated environments nearby. The modules are being tested in a wide variety of classes and universities and they include supporting materials for instructors who have not previously used GIS or interactive environments. While there are no other modules planned at the moment, the PolarPASS team is open to collaborating with researchers interested in developing new lesson plans.
B). Example of a 360-degree view of the Russell Glacier in Greenland used in the modules.
In addition to the scientific research process, the PolarPASS modules also focus on place-based education, seeking to connect students emotionally to polar places that they have not visited. According to a study conducted by the PolarPASS team and published in in October 2023, people tend to develop a connection, or a sense of place, through lived experiences or travel. However, engaging with virtual environments, such as the 360-degree interactive environments the team developed for the PolarPASS modules, can increase a person鈥檚 connection to an area, even if they have not physically been there.
鈥淭hese immersive experiences allow students to virtually visit Greenland and explore the glacial landscape, an experience many may never have,鈥� said Dr. , lead author of the study, director of the CIRES Education & Outreach program and co-PI of the project. 鈥淒ata collected from course participants show that they increase their sense of place and science content knowledge through their interaction with the course materials.鈥�
PolarPASS is funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation via a grant from the Office of Polar Programs Polar Special Initiatives.
For more information, please contact聽[email protected]听辞谤听[email protected].听
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