Collaborative Research: Teaching Data Analysis Through Solid Earth Investigations

NSF Award Search · 04002526DB NSF STEM Education · $89,082 · view on nsf.gov ↗

Abstract

This project aims to serve the national interest by improving curricula for strengthening students' data analysis skills in solid Earth geoscience courses. The ability to process, analyze, and visualize data is increasingly vital for conducting independent research and preparing students for the STEM workforce. The project plans to advance geoscience education by developing upper-level teaching modules that will help students use advanced data analysis to explore the mechanical behavior of the solid Earth. This collaborative IUSE Level 1 Engaged Student Learning track project will also lead and facilitate faculty professional development to enhance data-centric teaching approaches for solid Earth courses. To support the development and application of data analysis and strengthen the quantitative reasoning and self-efficacy of geoscience students, the goals of the project are to: 1) create undergraduate teaching materials for investigating solid Earth geoscience problems with a focus on data analysis skills; 2) lead and facilitate professional development for increasing faculty confidence in using data-rich teaching activities in solid Earth courses; and 3) evaluate the impact of data-rich teaching modules on changes in students' confidence in data-analysis skills in solid Earth courses. The teaching modules will provide freely available instructional faculty resources to teach data analysis in solid Earth contexts to help students develop critical thinking and other skil

Key facts

NSF award ID
2518879
Awardee
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (MN)
SAM.gov UEI
KABJZBBJ4B54
PI
Lars Hansen
Primary program
04002526DB NSF STEM Education
All programs
Improv Undergrad STEM Ed(IUSE), UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION
Estimated total
$89,082
Funds obligated
$89,082
Transaction type
Standard Grant
Period
10/01/2025 → 09/30/2028