EARLY UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH IN INTRODUCTORY GEOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY CLASSES

Early undergraduate research experiences in linked introductory geology and chemistry courses at the University of Nebraska at Omaha have been developed and offered for the past three years. This interdisciplinary approach has been used to show students, early in their academic careers, what real scientists do, the application of science to their lives, and its interdisciplinary nature, as well as the nature of scientific careers.

We are currently using two established research projects in our classes. The first involves an ongoing study of drinking water quality in the Omaha area. Students in Environmental Geology classes collect water samples from various areas and the samples are delivered to the Chemistry I students. They analyze the water for the most common ions in drinking water by ion chromatography. Data are sent back to the Geology students for evaluation. Geology students then raise questions and the class is broken into small working groups, with eventual presentations to the whole class, followed by a general discussion, mediated by a faculty member, emphasizing geologic explanations for observed variations. Following this, a presentation of their results is made to the chemistry classes and the chemistry class makes a reciprocal presentation about methods, errors, etc..

The second project involves Physical Geology and Chemistry II students. This is a study of lead in soils in Omaha. This has relevance as parts of Omaha have been identified by the EPA as having high levels of Pb in their soils. Our project goal is to develop a sampling scheme, collect samples, measure levels of lead in soil, and analyze the results. A similar reciprocal reporting system between Geology and Chemistry classes was implemented in this study as well.

Assessment of the results of these projects have indicated that students not only enjoyed these projects, but that it increased how much they like science in general and their understanding of what scientific research entails. Early results indicate an increase in interest in majoring in science.