Field-Based Environmental Chemistry Course for Interdisciplinary, Project-Based Learning

ABSTRACT

Faculty in the Chemistry and Environmental Science programs at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas, collaborated to develop an undergraduate course in Field-Based Environmental Chemistry. The course was developed and implemented as a 2-semester, 1-semester, and online, synchronous course offered during the 2020/21 COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the course, chemistry and environmental science majors designed and executed a sampling and laboratory analysis plan for monitoring the physical and chemical conditions of soil and/or water in a local, urban setting. As part of a goal to help students develop communication skills, they presented their work to stakeholders from the local community. Through participation in an active learning model, students demonstrated significant gains in the student learning outcomes. Students in the 2 semester sequence showed gains in their understanding of the scientific process, more comfort with the uncertainty and the ambiguity of natural environments, and appreciation for the importance of statistics in data analysis. The online course and COVID-19 pandemic restrictions did not allow for student field or laboratory work but did engage students in a project typical of a work environment.