The Environmental Geology of Your Home: A Capstone Project in an Environmental Geology Course for Non-Majors Michael Phillips Geology Instructor Illinois Valley Community College Oglesby, Illinois

Environmental Geology: Goals Introduction to the science of geology Focus on applied aspects of geology Appeal to students’ current interests Deliver information that the students can use long after completion of the course

Term Project Goals Apply concepts covered in class and lab –project sections align with lab and text Work throughout the semester –project work is integrated with lab exercises Examine an area familiar to the student –square mile section in which they live Acquaint students with resources –students use public information resources

Project Outline Introduction –Location of study area - county, township, range, and section –Description of study area - past and present land use, overall topography, etc. –General overview of findings - a summary of the report findings

Project Outline Natural Resources –topics: soils, surface water, groundwater, mineral resources –discuss: availability, past and current use –resources: USDA soil surverys, state water resource records, geologic publications –contact: local government (ie. municiple water supplier)

Project Outline Natural Hazards –topics: flooding, landslides, earthquakes, wetlands, radon gas, etc. –discuss: hazardous areas, historic events, past and current responses –resources: FEMA (web site), state and local agency documents and reports –contact: local ESDA office

Project Outline Human-Induced Hazards –topics: polluted areas, pollution sources, human effects on natural hazards, mine subsidence –discuss: hazardous areas, historic events, past and current responses –resources: USEPA (web site), state and local agencies (including database lists and FIOA requests) –contact: state EPA, local fire department

Project Outline Plans for Future Use –topics: past and current land-use plans –discuss: adequacy of current plans, suggestions for change –resources: local planning agency

Project Outline Conclusions:summarize the most important findings References: all sources Figures: maps, diagrams, photographs

Presentation of Project Research Paper –Content (not page) requirement –Must be referenced Oral Presentation –Briefly present key findings –Still working the bugs out

Project Grade Rubrik distributed to students Basis –required elements –depth of research –insight and interpretation

Disadvantages Compiling resources Tracking progress Grading projects at semester’s end

Advantages Students have a meaningful report Semester-long schedule reduces last-minute efforts Capstone project reflects students’ understanding of course material Very interesting reading for the instructor

Thank You Michael Phillips Illinois Valley Community College