LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION: EXPERIENCES WITH LOCAL-BASED HYDROGEOLOGIC RESEARCH

Geologists teaching at the undergraduate level have long known about the benefits of field-based studies in teaching students about the Geological Sciences. In fact, this type of experiential learning has often been an essential component in many geologic curriculums. Most geologic research experiences equally benefit from a field-based component. However, if a research site is located a long distance from the home institution, a research experience can be less accessible to students at all levels of the undergraduate curriculum. There are several advantages to developing local-based research projects in which students at all levels participate. First, there are some obvious logistical advantages of local-based research projects such as lower time and money investment in transport and lodging, but also the ability to develop longitudinal studies to examine temporal variations over various time periods at the same localities. Second, a major advantage of developing local-based research projects is the ability to have students access the field-based research at every level of the curriculum. This includes senior major research projects, ten-week summer research fellowships, and class projects in courses like Science by Inquiry, Research Methods and other classes during the academic year. Research students also become more vested in their local community by providing in some cases professional service to a local organization by employing their academic talents. These experiences have lead to future employment with local companies or governmental agencies. Faculty members who develop local expertise through student-based research projects often create opportunities with local civic groups as well as academic interchange between area colleges. There are also some disadvantages of local-based research related to applicability of expertise to local issues or field sites. In addition, previous studies and available background data may be sparse within the area of study, which may limit research topics.