Darrin Pagnac
Vertebrate Paleontology and Geoscience Education
Professor and Interim Director, Museum of Geology
(605) 394-2469
Geoscience and Field Education Pedagogy and Application
Projects examining the efficacy of geoscience education in various settings
Continuing projects investigating geoscience education and diversity and inclusion in field settings. I also research the use of paleontology to develop critical thinking skills.
Emergence of Grassland Ecosystems in North America
Using multople proxies to examine the expansion of open habitats in North America
Stable isotope geochemistry, morphologic data, and faunal trends are being applied to discover the nature and timing of the earliest development of savanna and grassland biomes.
Survey and Salvage at Important Regional Fossil Sites
Experiential learning in field settings during annual fossil resource management efforts
Ongoing survey and salvage of fossil-rich sites managed by multiple agencies (National Park Service, Bureau of Reclamation, US Army Corps of Engineers). Surveys are used as educational venues to develop field skills.