Distance Learning Montana State University-Bozeman

For MIDDLE and HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS
Graduate Semester Credit: 3
Time Commitment: 9-12 HOURS PER WEEK
Cost: $849.15

Playing with DIRT! At your age? Believe it or not, soil (to some known as "dirt") is part of all of our lives on a daily basis. And, as environmental issues such as water quality, waste management, ecological biodiversity, land resource carrying capacity, and alternative land uses continue to gain more attention from the public, increasing demands will be placed on earth science, physical science, geology, geography, and general science teachers for curriculum to support our understanding of these issues. Soil science is not a new science, but one that has gained much attention and interest in the past decade. And, the study of soil science has taken on new, "real-life" meaning and significance in the last decade. Today scientists spend a great deal of time studying the soil-like materials of distant planets, the remote reaches of the earth, and even under the ocean floors.

The goal of this course is to introduce teachers to the basic principles of soil science as an integral part of the curriculum for environmental sciences, ecology, earth science, geology, water quality, and geography. The course is structured around twelve basic soil concepts, beginning with the significance of soil in our everyday lives and progressing through soil formation, the physical and chemical properties of soils, and the role soil and the earth play in environmental management today and in the future. This course is filled with "how to" classroom teaching opportunities and resources. A good share of the course addresses contemporary issues and readings. We'll integrate teaching DIRT with math, language arts, geography, social studies, artistic expression, chemistry, physics, and biology.

You'll learn about the soil in your own school yard or back yard, who to contact to get local "experts" and how to get your students more interested in environmental studies. This course is "hands on", participation oriented.

What goes on in the DIRTY DOZEN?

Study the significance of soil and the processes involved in soil formation and differentiation (did you know that all soils have names and identities and more than 14,000 different "soils" are recognized in the United States alone?).

Learn how to use such readily available resources as National Geographic, Science, and other popular magazines to introduce students to soil science and develop lessons that are fun in the classroom.

Develop better understanding of the relationship between soil and water quality, crop and vegetation management, and environmental science.

INSTRUCTOR:
James W. Bauder, Ph.D., Extension Specialist in Plant, Soils, and Environmental Sciences at Montana State University. Dr. Bauder has taught numerous courses for teachers and pre-college students, including soil science and water quality. He also designed and taught courses for the Science Teaching Institute of the Rockies at MSU and has conducted summer youth and science teacher continuing education institutes for more than ten years. Dr. Bauder is Director for Distant Ed programs of the College of Agriculture at Montana State University.

CREDIT:
Land Resources and Environmental Sciences (LRES) 580, 3 graduate semester credits.

PREREQUISITES:
One year of experience teaching science at the secondary level and completion of a science education methods course.

TIME COMMITMENT:
9 to 12 hours per week. If you are unfamiliar with this field of study and/or with telecommunications, this course may require more of your time.

TARGET AUDIENCE:
This course is designed for secondary earth science, physical science, geology, geography, and environmental science teachers.

TEXTBOOK:
Kohnke, Helmut and Franzmeier, D.P. Soil Science Simplified. Waveland Press. Fourth Edition. Textbook or specific instructions regarding textbook purchase will be provided with the course materials.

MATERIALS:

• NTEN Course Manual
• The Soil Formation Process (video)
• Conserving Soil - an information packet from the National Association of Conservation Districts
• Selected readings and references from National Geographic magazine
• 4-H Manual for teachers and leaders
• Beneath Our Feet - Lessons on Soil
• Other materials will also be provided in your course kit.

ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES

COST:
Tuition: $720
Books/Materials: $120
MSU fees: $9.15

Total course cost: $849.15

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Extra equipment needed for this course? No