This project is building upon a proof-of-concept grant to create a comprehensive library of course activities for environmental science courses. In the proof-of-concept phase, four multi-week, Internet-based laboratory modules were developed on topics in environmental science for Kennesaw State University's (KSU) general education course in Interdisciplinary Science. The laboratory program utilizes a combination of field studies, wet labs, and Internet-based experiences to allow students to examine local environmental issues and their individual contribution to regional and global environmental impacts. The exercises were tested at KSU in Fall 2001 and Spring 2002 with approximately 1,500 students, and our experiences, assessment data, and outside evaluation indicate significant benefits to our approach and strongly suggest continued development. In this full development phase, we are expanding upon and improving our existing collection of laboratory modules to encompass all of the major topics covered in environmental science courses. The 10 modules being developed are textbook-independent, and available to any interested party through the Internet. The modules are being created by an interdisciplinary team of scientists from four diverse institutions, and tested in the various class formats for environmental science courses (no lab, "open" lab, and conventional lab). In addition to the laboratory modules, the development team is creating an extensive collection of instructor resources, tailored to each course format.
