Exposure to nature can improve mental health and cognitive abilities, while creating enhanced engagement with biological course material through interactions with organisms and ecosystems. Remote biology education was suddenly implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic at many universities, and such distance education continues to provide broadened…

The purpose of this study is to determine student's perceived value of on-farm, technical training at a university farm. Specifically, this study evaluates students use and non-use of the university farm and the student's perception of this use on overall academic competency and career readiness. The target population of the study included all…

Virtual field experiences (VFEs) are augments to traditional fieldwork in the geosciences that are seeing increasing use in college courses. However, VFEs that are not easily located and implemented in courses by geoscience instructors have little to no value. This qualitative, descriptive study engaged five focus groups of U.S. college geoscience…

A survey of the academic requirements of internships, benefits in taking part in an internship, and problems encountered in internship programs are described. Results indicated that one of the problems with internship programs occurred when faculty did not have direct control over the experience. (CW)

Describes a source of diversity and enrichment for summer field experiences. Presents information on the geographic and geologic setting, glacial history and record, relative dating of deposits, and use for student experience. Tables include a generalized location of the area, summary of moraine morphology, and pictures. (RT)

Explains methods for teaching geology in an enjoyable way through a multidisciplinary, multimodal approach which highlights applications and relevance in an integrated manner. States that it does not endanger formal course content. (RT)

Reports on a cooperative education program at Montclair State College in which 600 students were placed during the 1984-85 academic year. Describes the techniques used to initiate the program and some of the benefits that the program has provided to the university, the faculty, and the students. (TW)

Discusses the development and formal thrust of an environmental education program. Indicates that efforts have resulted in a viable learning process which transcends the traditional nature study program. Describes a learning continuum of activities focusing on concepts, values, and problem solving skills, organization of the system, future…

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the field experience component of an undergraduate science methods course for preservice elementary school teachers was effective in: (1) shifting student concerns about science teaching from concerns about themselves to concerns about the impact of inquiry-oriented science programs on pupils;…

Describes the environmental education programs of Ball State University's Department of Natural Resources. Focusing on natural resource science and technology, the program has thrusts in resource conservation, environmental protection, and environmental education. Outlines the program goals, courses, curricular patterns, graduate programs, and…

This paper describes the outcomes of a two-day Higher Education focus group meeting at Blencathra Field Centre, Cumbria, in November 2003. A review of the current status of fieldwork in undergraduate courses was undertaken. The data available indicates that although the number of students enrolling in Biological Science courses has increased, in…