BC Colleges and Universities Earth Sciences Articulation Committee
MINUTES - Annual Meeting held at the College of the Rockies, Cranbrook
May 15, 1999
PRESENT:
Sandra Taylor (ST), Camosun College
Dileep Athaide (DA), Capilano College
Gary Clohan (GC), College of the Rockies
Mike Wilson (MW), Douglas College
Jim Urquhart (JU), Kwantlen University-College
Mark Smith (MS), Langara College
Steven Earle (SE), Malaspina University-College and Open Learning Agency
John Greenough (JG), Okanagan University-College
Lesley Anderton (LA), Selkirk College
Robbie Dunlop (RD), Simon Fraser University (Chair)
Mary Lou Bevier (MLB), University of British Columbia
Steven Johnston (SJ), University of Victoria
Des Wilson (DW), Douglas College (Liaison Administrator)
Carlo Giovanella (CG), Alumnus - University of British Columbia
1. Adoption of Agenda
The Agenda was adopted with the addition of the following under 8. Announcements and Discussion Items:
(i) Computing Hardware and Software
(j) Burgess Shale
(k) Earth Science Week
Motion: MW moved to accept agenda. SJ seconded. Motion carried.
2. Introduction, Regrets
RD welcomed everyone and read out regrets from Karyn Drysdale (University of Victoria), Maggie McColl (Malaspina University-College), Ken and Barb Shaw (Northwest Community College), Ken Klein (University College of the Cariboo), and Joe Galvin (Smithers Secondary School ? Highschool Rep).
3. Volunteering of Recording Secretary
LA agreed to transcribe minutes.
4. Approval of Minutes of Annual Meeting, May 1998
Corrections: 1. Malaspina does not have an Earth Science degree.
2. UBC Geology Scholarships - $4000.00 was purely for transfer students, particularly from colleges. (There is $80,000.00 for internal scholarships).
Motion: MLB moved to accept the 1998 minutes as corrected. MS seconded. Motion carried.
5. Matters Arising From the 1998 Minutes
The high school representative (Joe Galvin) was appointed without consultation with the Articulation Committee. The present representative does not teach Geology 12, only Earth Science 11. We need to speak with BCCAT concerning this and ask how they are chosen. We need a representative who actually teaches Geology 12. Would it be possible to get a list of schools that teach Geology 12? Does it have to be a fixed representative or can it be a local person (where the Articulation meeting is being held) so that the position rotates? We should invite the local high school teachers anyway, particularly in a small area. It would be nice to send out announcements about our meeting to all BC teachers and save a few places for teachers on the field trip.
6. Chair's Report
1998 Meeting of Articulation Chairs and Liaison Administrators
RD's report of the November 1998 meeting of the Committee of Articulation Chairs and Liaison Administrators was included in the package. The meeting discussed barriers to transfer and how these could be overcome. The Earth Sciences Articulation Committee poster was there and generated a lot of interest. People were impressed by the fieldtrip photographs.
Non-attendance at Articulation Meetings
It was decided that DW should write to the University College of the Cariboo and make sure the college knows that annual institution participation at Articulation is mandated and funds should be made available for Ken Klein to attend. It should be noted that we have made a point of keeping costs down by staying in student residences and by meeting over the weekend to take advantage of cheap fares. Fieldtrips are an integral part of the process and are excellent for our discipline. They are a great refresher and learning experience and allow us to build up a good collection of rocks and fossils for labs and slides for lectures. In future we may consider using the material that we collect on the Articulation Fieldtrip to produce a booklet for local teachers.
Associate Degrees
Associate Degrees are not viewed clearly by students as a pathway to a career. Is there any awareness in industry of these degrees and what utility they have? We need to be careful that Associate Degrees are not seen as a dead end for those unable to go on to University. Awareness of Associate Degrees needs to be promoted. They are now being looked at for block transfer (Douglas College has negotiated block transfer for their Associate Degree in Environmental Science with the University of Lethbridge). So far there has not been a great deal of need for the Associate Degree, but it does standardize the requirements and is useful for block transfer, and it is likely to become more important in the future. BCCAT is looking into this and we do need to keep tuned in to this and public perception of it.
Transfer Innovations Project
We have been given a request for a Transfer Innovations Project from BCCAT. These initiatives are tied to Learning Outcomes to facilitate transfer. DA described Learning Outcomes as "what we expect the students to know and be able to do after completion of a course or program". Outcomes allow for a variety of curricula to get to the same outcome.
It was noted that the BC Transfer Guide is on the web and that this is more up to date than the book. A student handbook to help students understand transfer is almost ready. Prerequisites seem to be a stumbling block. Block transfer would require a list of Learning Outcomes for Geology majors. This would include Math, Physics, Chemistry and English as well as Geology.
After considerable discussion of the merits of the 4 project proposals, it was decided that we should combine proposals 2 and 3, as we already have a workable transfer grid.
Motion: MW moved "that we support a proposal combining #2 Flexible Pre-Major Analysis Project and #3 Descriptive Pathway Project". GC seconded.
Motion carried.
Proposal Committee
MW agreed to chair a committee to work on the proposal. MS, RD, and ST offered to serve on the committee. DA is also willing to serve on the committee provided that he is not in a conflict of interest situation. DA suggested that the Learning Outcomes for Physical Geology could also be covered by this committee.
7. Updating of the Courses Transfer Grid
The Course Transfer Grid was passed around for changes and corrections.
8. Announcements and Discussion Items
(a) IDIG 2000
Funding for Improving Development in Geosciences runs out in December 1999. For 1999, IDIG will be held July 17-23 at the Colorado School of Mines. AGI will cover the cost for this, people just have to get there. It is worth looking at the AGI (American Geological Institute) and the NAGT (National Association of Geology Teachers) websites.
(b) CGEN (Canadian Geoscience Education Network) 2003
The Canadian Geoscience Education Network is an offshoot of the Canadian Geoscience Council. DA went to the meeting in Vancouver and will continue as an informal link with this group. CGEN usually meets at the AGM of GAC/MAC. John Clague and Rob Turner have been given funding to expand Geoscape to other cities. Teacher Workshops will be developed for GAC/MAC 2000 at Calgary.
GeoSciEd III is being held in Sydney, Australia in January, 2000. Early registration is May 31, 1999. Canada is hosting GeoSciEd IV during the summer of 2003. Alan Morgan from the University of Waterloo is coordinating bids from across the country. There are no bids. It may be held in Calgary.
(c) Learning Outcomes to Facilitate Course Transfer
Learning outcomes were discussed under the Chair's Report. RD asked if anyone knew if Yukon College offered Geology courses (in case we may invite them to Articulation Meetings). Apparently Grant Lowee was teaching Geology courses there but there was a conflict with a Dean who had tried to close down the courses and they are no longer offered.
(d) Development of Distributed Learning (Distance Education) Geology Courses
The Open University offers Geology 120 that will become an online program in a few years. There are serious limits as to how much geology can be taught online as it should be hands-on. Environmental geology could be done in distance format. They are thinking of doing it at Malaspina and possibly at Open University. Douglas College may offer Historical Geology on the Web with interactive lessons.
SE wants an interactive British Columbia Earth Sciences website. Perhaps this could be linked to an Articulation website. We may qualify for a LIP grant to establish this site. JG mentioned that when he produced the book on Kelowna Geology he got funding from the Canadian Geological Foundation. BCCAT may also be a source of funding to establish a province-wide geology website that would benefit secondary school teachers as well as post secondary instructors.
(e) Changes in Articulation Meeting Style
It was decided, after discussion, that the meeting and fieldtrip format will remain unchanged.
(f) University of Victoria's Introductory Courses
EOS 100 (Physical Geology) and EOS 101 (Historical Geology) have been changed to ESS (Earth Systems Science) 110 (hydrosphere, atmosphere, oceans and coastal geology) and ESS 120 (Internal Earth). These changes do not affect people transferring in to UVic. Those transferring in who have Physical and Historical Geology will be accepted as first year credit. These courses are also cross listed with Geography 213 (you can't take Geog 213 and EES 110/120).
(g) Simon Fraser University's Physical Geology (EASC 101) Lab Changes
Changes have been made to the content of the EASC 101 labs. The reason for these changes is that initially most students came from Geography and knew about air photos and maps. Now students are coming from an assortment of faculties, (general science, computing, engineering, education, arts, kinesiology) and there is a need to include maps, air photos and hydrogeology exercises. It is a good general Earth Science course. The course text has been changed from Plummer and McGeary to Press and Seiver.
(h) University of British Columbia's New Course Offerings
A new Majors degree in Oceanography starts in the fall of 2000. Everything is still under consideration and may be changed again to something broader.
There is a new co-op program for Geological Engineers beginning in fall 1999. A co-op program for Geological Sciences will possibly start in fall 1999. It involves the student doing 4 ? 16 week work terms. Students apply at the end of second year and are chosen on the basis of their willingness to go where the jobs are, their marks and their attitude.
There is now a new Oceanography 100 course.
Climatologists stayed with Geography and Meteorology moved to Earth and Ocean Sciences.
Some of UBC's scholarships are quite specific. MLB suggested that we have transfer students contact her in summer to be considered for scholarships.
(i) Computing Hardware and Software
DW asked how institutions handle their computer hardware and software budgets? It seems that the college faculties don't have much money for computers, hardware or software. There was a general discussion about how faculties in some institutions get second-hand computers from refurbished student teaching labs. Some institutions don't provide any faculty computers, leaving faculty to lease or buy their own. There is also a problem with institutions eliminating staff and faculty having to do their own word processing, which cuts into teaching time, preparation time and research time.
(j) Burgess Shale
GC reported that his colleagues are involved with the K-12 program in Cranbrook and lead fieldtrips from Cranbrook to Golden through the Rocky Mountain Trench. The Burgess Shale Foundation has big plans for a new dormitory/residence at Field. The facility may be done by next year.
(k) Earth Science Week
The American Geological Institute (AGI) has declared October 10-16, 1999 as Earth Science Week. It is scheduled for October 8-14 in 2000. It targets school age children and the aim is to initiate them into Earth Science. By visiting the website www.earthsciweek.org we can receive free Earth Science Week kits. The declaration statement found on their website is a good proclamation and explains the significance of the Earth Science. January 26, 2000 is Earthquake Awareness Day in British Columbia.
Motion: MW moved "that as a group we participate in Earth Science Week on an individual college/university basis". DA seconded. Motion carried.
9. Election of New Chair
Motion: GC nominated MW for Chair, JG seconded the motion. MW accepted the nomination. Motion carried.
10. Next Year's Meeting (+ Fieldtrip)
Motion: DA moved that we hold next year's Articulation Meeting in Calgary in conjunction with the GACMAC meeting (GeoCanada 2000), RD seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Host: Douglas College
Place: University of Calgary
Time: June 2000, one day prior to the main GACMAC 2000 meeting (GeoCanada 2000) meeting
If we can accomplish this, we could invite the Articulation Committees from the University of Calgary, University of Alberta and University of Lethbridge to attend our annual meeting. A significant component of this meeting would be linking with these other groups, as well as the special educational opportunity of attending GeoCanada 2000. We may also consider doing a poster presentation about Articulation at the GACMAC meeting or running a fieldtrip.
11. 2001 Articulation Meeting
The fall back for the year 2000 meeting if things don't work out for Calgary will be Kwantlen hosting the meeting in the Lower Mainland. If the 2000 meeting is held in Calgary , hosted by Douglas, then Kwantlen will host the 2001 meeting.
12. Other Business
A vote of thanks was extended to RD for being Chair for the past three years.
MS wanted people to be aware that Langara has a video lending library that we all have access to. They charge $21.00. He also mentioned that Langara has renumbered their courses with a 11 and 22 prefix.
CG presented the "Stony Stool Award" for the most creative excuse for non-attendance at Articulation Meetings. JG was the 1997 recipient. Ray Cox was the 1998 recipient and Ken Klein was the 1999 recipient. We all agreed it was a fun award and will probably be awarded to each of us at some point.