Using Data Repositories to Transform Undergraduate Learning

Abstract:

There are numerous obstacles (i.e. funding, class load, technical ability, racial or social inequities, etc) for undergraduates to obtain field research experience, especially to remote study sites. The COVID-19 quarantine has further exasperated these barriers. The associated transition to virtual learning is challenging many undergraduate instructors to rethink the structure of their course(s). Together, these challenges present an excellent opportunity for educators to draw on the growing body of open data stored in public data repositories for data-focused educational activities. Using data from long-lived, publically accessible archives in lessons not only allows educators to incorporate real datasets into their curriculum, but also introduces students to essential data management skills. As data-intensive environmental and multidisciplinary research grows, it is increasingly necessary to equip students with the skills and knowledge they need for success after graduating.

Over the past year, the Arctic Data Center has developed a set of resources and modules for undergraduate educators to use. These modules incorporate publicly available datasets from our repository that allow students to explore a range of concepts in the biological, earth, and environmental sciences. In this session, we will discuss these materials and how instructors can use them to incorporate authentic data-analysis and Arctic science into their courses.