Copyright (c) 2013 Utah State University All rights reserved. http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cuenr/Sessions/MakingIt Recent Events in Making it Real - General en-us Wed, 15 May 2013 18:04:52 PDT 3600 http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cuenr/Sessions/MakingIt/3 http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cuenr/Sessions/MakingIt/3 Sat, 27 Mar 2010 15:30:00 PDT This presentation will discuss the importance of udergraduate research as critical component of undergraduate education. Three different undergraduate research activities will be discussed: 1) the Stroubles Creek Watershed Initiative at Virginia Tech; 2) the National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF REU) in watershed sciences and engineering at Virginia Tech; and 3) integrating undergraduate research into service‐learning ‐ the Virginia Tech study abroad program in the Dominican Republic. The presentation will discuss merits of these programs and broader impacts on professional and personal growth and attitudes of participating undergraduate researchers. The presentation will also include testimony of 2‐3 students who participated in these programs.

]]> Tamin Younos http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cuenr/Sessions/MakingIt/1 http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cuenr/Sessions/MakingIt/1 Sat, 27 Mar 2010 16:30:00 PDT The National Mairne Fisheries Service and Virginia Tech have teamed to develop a unique learning experience for top undergraduate students from across the country. During the six week summer program, students learn about the complexities of an important marine resources issue first‐hand from the experts who know the subject the best. In the summer of 2006, six students learned about marine protected areas (MPAs), and in particular, methods to evaluate the effectiveness of MPAs. The six students traveled to two MPAs in different stages of development and met with MPA experts. We designed the summer program to share the summer students’ experiences and newly gained knowledge with students in classrooms around the world. To accomplish this, the summer students created a multi‐media, case study‐based, educational website that truly demonstrates the complexities of the MPA issue. Our long term goal is to create a library of diverse marine resources case studies, created by students, for students. Additional websites created during the previous summer are also currently available. The websites can be accessed at http://www.nmfs.vt.edu/casestudy.htm

]]> Jim Berkson http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cuenr/Sessions/MakingIt/2 http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cuenr/Sessions/MakingIt/2 Sat, 27 Mar 2010 16:00:00 PDT “Effective teaching” is considered a leadership skill and is emphasized in the Boy Scouts of America adult leader training/skill development (Phelps 2000). The purpose of this skill development is to ensure that youth are engaged and that learning occurs. An important early step in the effective teaching method as outlined by BSA is guided discovery. In this process knowledge is confirmed, the need to know is established and motivation is instilled (http://www.webofroses.com/scouting/woodbadge/effective_teaching.phtml). A discovery can be simple or complex but should be the precursor to any teaching‐learning experience. This session will explore the application of discovery to the teaching of introductory forestry for nonforestry majors including both its benefits and its costs (eg. diminished time for traditional instruction). Practical examples will be shared and participants will have the opportunity to develop discovery experiences for their own classes. Phelps, Brian. 2001. Resources for leadership: sourcebook for managers of learning. Fifth Edition. White Stag Leadership Development, Monteray, CA.

]]> Maureen H. McDonough