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FYRES: Dunes Research Course for First-Year Students

Discover how the FYRES course at Calvin College engages first-year students in research on Michigan coastal dunes, promoting learning, science inquiry, and undergraduate research experiences. Learn more at www.calvin.edu/go/fyres/.

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FYRES: Dunes Research Course for First-Year Students

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  1. Designing a New Undergraduate-Research-Focused Course The First-Year Research in Earth Sciences (FYRES): Dunes Project Deanna van Dijk Geology, Geography and Environmental Studies Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan FYRES: Dunes

  2. The FYRES Project • The FYRES course (Geog 181) has first-semester college students learning science by doing research on Lake Michigan coastal dunes. • The FYRES Research Mentor program has upper-level student majors mentoring the first-year students in learning/research activities.

  3. Designing the FYRES course • Timeline Implementation and Assessment Course Development Revisions Fall 2011 Fall 2012 Fall 2013 Ideas  Proposal  Funding (2009) Structure…Activities/Materials…Approvals (2010-2011)

  4. FYRES Course: Goals The first-year geoscience course engages students in learning about the physical world through directed undergraduate research that focuses on Michigan coastal dunes. The course goals are: 1. To improve student learning in a physical science core course, 2. To promote student understanding of science as inquiry, 3. To provide authentic undergraduate research experiences to first-year students, 4. To attract and retain undergraduate students in STEM disciplines of study, and 5. To improve the first-year college experience for students. From van Dijk and Bruxvoort NSF proposal (May 2009)

  5. FYRES Course: Learning Goals

  6. FYRES Course: Structure • Fall semester • Spring semester FYRES Lab 2

  7. FYRES Course: at Calvin College • Approvals • Building working relationships course proposal Faculty Senate Educational Policy Committee Core Curriculum Committee approved department

  8. FYRES Outcomes: 2011-2013 • 56 first-year students had undergraduate research experiences • Research results are informing dune managers and scientists • Course attracted science (23) and non-science (23) students • Students report satisfaction and that the course met their expectations • 16 FYRES students are geoscience majors Learn more at www.calvin.edu/go/fyres/

  9. Acknowledgements • Michigan Department of Natural Resources • Ottawa County Parks and Recreation • Land Conservancy of West Michigan • Kitchel-Lindquist Dunes Preserve • National Science Foundation Grant # 0942344 • Michigan Space Grant (2013, 2014) • Geog 181 (FYRES) students • FYRES Research Mentors • Dr. Crystal Bruxvoort

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