EMBEDDING CREATIVE INQUIRY IN THE UNDERGRADUATE GEOLOGY CURRICULUM

Until recently, most geology majors at Clemson University were not involved with any locally relevant projects or original research until their senior year. Such lack of real-world connections in the early stages of their academic program may have contributed to an unacceptably high loss of majors during the sophomore and junior years. In an attempt to improve retention rates, the Geology Program has revamped its curriculum requirements to include a creative inquiry component that begins with the sophomore year and culminates with a group presentation and publication of the research at the end of the senior year. This series of courses involves all geology majors, as well as a number of interested prospective geology majors, in ongoing interdisciplinary research in hydrology, geomorphology, and environmental geology, using the Clemson campus and the Clemson Experimental Forest as the framework for comparative studies of forested vs. urbanized watersheds.

Sophomores beginning the research course sequence receive one credit each semester and are involved primarily with data collection under the supervision of upperclass mentors. Juniors also receive one credit each semester focusing on project planning and evaluation techniques. Seniors receive four credits each semester focusing on preparing oral and written presentations of their research results. The entire sequence is designed not only to incorporate creative inquiry into an undergraduate research component for all geology majors, but also to meet the university's general education requirements for advanced writing, oral communications, ethical judgment, information technology, and critical thinking and problem solving skills.

The primary objectives of this initiative are to excite current geology majors about their studies thereby increasing retention rates, and to involve interested students from other disciplines who may eventually switch to become geology majors. Funded as a demonstration project by the office of Undergraduate Studies at Clemson University and the Clemson University STEP program (NSF grant), the geology creative inquiry initiative is currently gathering assessment data by using an external evaluator to run focus groups with student participants and requiring all participating students to submit an e-portfolio and journal summarizing their work.