ENGAGING UNDERGRADUATE GEOSCIENCE STUDENTS THROUGH FIELD-BASED LEARNING ACTIVITIES IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST: CASE STUDIES FROM THE EARTH SCIENCE PROGRAM AT WESTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY

The dynamic landscape of the Pacific Northwest provides an ideal framework for teaching the geology of western North America as part of a baccalaureate Earth Science degree program at Western Oregon University. Field experiences are embedded within the curriculum to provide inquiry-based learning opportunities with a focus on the diverse geology of Oregon and beyond. Field trips, encompassing single-day excursions and weekend ventures, augment upper-division courses, such as Environmental Geology, Geomorphology, Structural Geology, and Volcanology. Multi-day adventures are also offered as stand-alone field classes during the summer. For example, a week-long fluvial geomorphology course includes a 3-day raft trip on the Deschutes River and accompanying stops in the Columbia Gorge to observe Missoula flood features. In addition, a field volcanology course focuses on national parks and monuments in the region, including Crater Lake, Lassen, Lava Beds, Mount St. Helens, and Newberry Caldera. All of these field experiences incorporate learning activities that foster collaborative team building and skill development in observation, data collection, quantitative analysis, and geologic interpretation. Examples of active learning modules include: (a) geologic mapping exercises at the Oregon coast, (b) collection and interpretation of structural data in the Coast Range, (c) observation and sampling of pyroclastic deposits in central Oregon, (d) analysis of topographic and hydrologic data to understand geomorphic processes in the Willamette Valley, and (e) mapping of surficial deposits to unravel Quaternary landscape history. The modules are directly aligned with program outcomes, emphasizing application of fundamental geologic concepts in field settings, scientific methodology, and increasing knowledge about the regional geology of the Pacific Northwest. Further, the learning activities described herein dovetail with national STEM education initiatives and address the broader scale objective of preparing future geoscientists to solve challenging environmental problems in the 21^st century.