GROUP MAPPING OF LOCAL GEOLOGIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS

For the 2007 spring semester lab experience to accompany an undergraduate lecture course on geologic hazards, we had in-class exercises prior to spring break which covered mineral and rock identification and topographic and geologic maps. During that time, students became acquainted with one another, and, in the lecture course, with various types of geologic and environmental hazards. Students signed up to work in groups of five, and each group selected one of the following five topics: mass wasting, land subsidence and soil problems, volcanic hazards, flooding hazards, and contamination problems. Each group was provided with a city map, list of references, and a grading rubric. A discussion board was set up online for each group using a web-based course management system (WebCT) to facilitate communication between group members. Groups were instructed to locate and map examples of hazards in their topic in our local area. Groups had three weeks after spring break to do the research and field work and prepare oral presentations which were then given during the last two weeks of the semester. Although the end results were not all I had hoped for, students did gain confidence in their own ability to research and recognize potential hazards as well as to work in groups and give oral presentations.