The introductory level Environmental and Applied Geology course (GLY 1103) taught at Appalachian State University has as course goals that: (1) students gain an understanding of the geologic processes and products that impact humans, including natural hazards and natural resources, and (2) students use this knowledge in finding solutions to geologically-related practical problems facing modern society. Two faculty members have developed an inquiry-based exercise to meet these educational goals, which has been met with measurable success and student enthusiasm. This exercise is transferable to survey geology courses at other universities and to middle and high school earth/environmental science programs.

A required out-of-class research project entitled "An Environmental Site Assessment"(ESA Project) was developed to involve students on a personal level. The relevance of the project is introduced to the students in the course syllabus: "There are a number of geology-related issues that particularly affect property owners and potential home-buyers. By understanding geologic principles and processes you will make better-informed and responsible home buying/owning decisions". The ESA project must include: (1) a description of the source of their home (or dorm) drinking water supply and methods of treatment, (2) a description of the fate and treatment of their residential waste water, (3) a description of the management of their residential solid waste and problems associated with disposal, if any, (4) a geologic/environmental site assessment based on criteria outlined in the 1996 AIPG publication, Homebuyer's Guide to Geologic Hazards, and (5) a copy of a topographic map, obtained from a WWW source, as well as, a sketch and/or photos of their home site.

Over 80% of the students surveyed indicated that knowledge gained from the ESA project would be very helpful to them in future decision-making situations (e.g., buying a house, siting a business, and voting on environmental-related issues). Students identified the ESA project as one of the most valuable learning experiences in the course.