Inquiry-Based Activities and Biometeorology: Implementing In-Class Exercises and Examining Biomet Education Research Possibilities

Inquiry-based activities are constructivist pedagogical methodologies, or one in which students "construct" knowledge, and the teacher helps to facilitate the students' education. Classes that utilize inquiry methodologies create an interactive environment in which there is peer-to-peer and teacher-to-student exchange of knowledge through active learning and a reduced focus on traditional lecture. These teaching approaches have been particularly effective in STEM classes for developing student critical thinking skills and a deeper appreciation of the scientific method.

This purpose of this folder is two-fold: 1) To demonstrate inquiry-based methodologies used by the author to integrate basic hazards and biometeorology principles into the curricula of several geoscience courses (Introduction to Geography, Physical Geography, Maps and Map Reading). 2) To examine research possibilities for implementing and assessing biometeorology education in introductory-level geoscience courses. The goal is to develop research that compares student development to teaching methodology, to determine best practices for biometeorology instruction.