Jonathan Tucker

In contrast to other physical sciences, many undergraduates have little or no exposure to Earth science prior college, so I view teaching at the introductory level to be the most important conduit to attract students to the field. And at the advanced levels, I believe that in addition to a strong fundamental training in geology, an exposure to subjects at the forefront of active Earth science research and debate is invaluable in the training of the next generation of Earth scientists. In addition, I am passionate about teaching science courses for non-science students. Imbuing all members of society with a sense of scientific literacy and a trust in the scientific processes is equally as important as instructing Earth science students.

One of the most challenging issues in teaching any science, especially to non-science students, is maintaining engagement. To that end, I have long practiced and advocated moving away from one-size-fits-all lecture/problem-set/exam courses. Nontraditional teaching methodologies can dramatically increase student engagement and performance. This is especially true among students from low-income and underrepresented backgrounds, or anyone who may lack confidence speaking up in introductory level lecture-style courses.

I have been involved in teaching the following courses:

• How to Build a Habitable Planet

A lecture and lab course primarily for non-science majors on the history of the Earth from the Big Bang through human evolution. The course focuses on understanding Earth science from a systems rather than reductionist point of view, and teaches not just the facts about the Earth but their specific lines of evidence.

• Introduction to Planetary Science

A lecture course for advanced undergraduates on the physics and chemistry of solar systems and planetary bodies.

• Mineralogy

An undergraduate course on structure, origin, and identification of rock-forming minerals in hand sample and thin section (optical mineralogy).

• The Unseen Universe

A first-year seminar on astronomical inference of mass of planets, stars, galaxies, black holes, and dark matter. This is an inquiry-based course with a variety of projects and writing assignments.