This award provides funds for the development, testing and dissemination of two environmental science courses targeted at freshman and sophomore students. The focus of the courses will be local environmental issues, with emphasis on original research projects that involve collection of data in the field. Although the topics and methodology will be identified by faculty, the research will be real in that its outcome will not be known ahead of time. The applicants expect to combine knowledge and techniques from diverse areas of science (biology, chemistry, geology, and political science) in developing a truly multidisciplinary program. Funds will also enable the hiring of a recent graduate who will aid in course development and instruction. The applicants expect that the courses will figure in development of a Masters in Science Education program now being planned by a consortium of five colleges in the Amherst area.
