Lessons learned from using GIS/RS as an integrative tool for interdisciplinary learning and teaching in a senior-level capstone course on global change at Westminster College of Salt Lake City

Westminster College of Salt Lake City (WCSLC) was awarded in late August 1995 a grant to participate in the USRA (Universities Space Research Association) Cooperative University-based Program in Earth System Science Education (ESSE) along with twenty-one new university members within the consortium. The grant is to pay for interdisciplinary curriculum development and scientific exchange between students and faculty across the US focusing on Earth system science and global environmental change. A particular focus is on experimentation with new electronic and multimedia tools for teaching about global change, e.g. the World-Wide-Web on the Internet, GIS/RS and other computer simulation and modeling tools, e.g. STELLA. Two interdisciplinary courses being developed by Westminster College will be the primary venues for testing and diffusing these innovations. An introductory course entitled: GEOL/BIOL/HON 300 Earth Systems and Global Environmental Change and a senior-level course: GEOL/8IOL/HON 400 Methods of Modeling and Visualizing Global Change. News about the ESSE collaborating institutions and courses, electronic materials produced, evaluation findings, and other resources will be made available on the Web via the USRA/ESSE server and homepage