100 likes | 112 Views
Explore the significance of stories through a case study analysis of earthquakes, engaging non-majors with real data and fostering a deep understanding of Earth's dynamic forces.
E N D
“I will tell you something about stories; they aren’t just entertainment. Don’t be fooled. They are all we have, you see, all we have to fight off illness and death. You don't have anything if you don’t have the stories.” - Leslie Marmon Silko, Laguna Tribe Earthquake Hazards: Case Study Analysis Kaatje Kraft Mesa Community College
Why use Case Studies? • Motivation & Relevance • Non-Majors’ needs • Work with real data & 1st person observations
Background Knowledge • Earthquake Scales (activity on SERC website) • Plate Tectonic Overview
Earthquakes for Case Study • 2-3 cases depending on class size • Typically takes ~2 weeks • Jigsaw Process
Example: Loma Prieta, 1989 • 4 “expert” groups: • Geology Map & Intensity • Building Design & Structure • Ground Material • Overall Damage
Information Source • Primarily USGS • Images & reports • Guide them through reading with questions
Consulting Firms • Expert groups re-configure into new groups: Consulting Firm Teams • Poster Presentation (Group) • Final Written Assignment (Individual)
Poster Session • Model a scientific conference • 2 in group stand by poster to converse with classmates • 2 wander and take notes on classmates’ posters
Xg Qal: River Sediments Ts: Tertiary Sandstone (Sedimentary rock) Xg: Proterozoic Gneiss (Metamorphic rock) = fault line Qal Ts Activity Assessments • Notebooks • Poster • Paper • Quiz • On the following geologic map, identify the best (or worst) place to live and justify why.
Challenges & Benefits • Attendance Variation & Time • Develops a community, greater depth of learning, applies to lifelong skills, multiple learning styles.