GEOSCIENCE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES AT EL PASO COMMUNITY COLLEGE Joshua Villalobos El Paso Community College Geological Science Discipline

Institutional Background El Paso Community College: Associates of Science in Geological Sciences 70+ declared geology majors Articulated 2+2 degree plan with the University of Texas at El Paso Active geoscience research program

Engaging Students at EPCC Through Research Research has proven instrumental in providing students the ability to see themselves as geoscientist. Type A: “Black Box” research projects Goal: provide students the opportunity to develop their confidence and skills. Useful for beginning students with few geology course and no research experience Projects can be repeated or prolonged to build student skills or confidence. El Paso Thin Section Project Groundwater Monitoring Project

Research has proven instrumental in providing students the ability to see themselves as geoscientist. Type B: Collaborative research projects Goal: provide an opportunity to meet university faculty and gain knowledge of the university setting Useful for students who have done prior 2YC research, are further along in their degree and want to test out new skills and confidence. Engaging Students at EPCC Through Research GPR Archaeological Site Project Soil Electrical Conductivity Project

NSF Opportunity in Enhancing Diversity in the Geosciences- Track 1- SOLARIS research program provided non- traditional students: Stipend of $1000/semester $500 for supplies/rentals Travels for students to presentations AGU SOLARIS presenters 2012 Various internships awarded to SOLARIS participants El Paso GigaPan Project Dendrochronology Project

Challenges for Community Colleges Cost and equipment of research Collaborative with industry or institutions Time commitment Develop small (completed in 1 semester), student driven projects Research sustainability Promote successes to encourage fellow 2YC and 4YC faculty to participate

Results