Seminar in Natural Science (online)

Field Trip Information

This semester we have two field trip opportunities:  the first, on Feb. 27th, is to the Field Museum of Natural History; the second, on May1st, is to the North Branch of the Chicago River.  You are required to participate in at least one of the trips, but I strongly encourage you to attend both if possible.  These trips not only will be a fun change of pace but also will give us a chance to meet face-to-face and further build the sense of community in our seminar. 

Logistical information (directions, meeting time, etc.) will be posted on the Discussion Board.  I encourage people to form carpools based on where you're located in the Chicago area, and will set up a special discussion forum to facilitate making contact with your classmates and arranging rides.  For those unable to attend:  you may either (1) visit an alternative and comparable facility/natural area; or (2) review a web or print source related to the Field Trip (see below).

Whether you're able to attend the group field trip or you do an alternative activity, you'll share your thoughts on the experience on the Discussion Board, reflecting on what you saw, experienced, and learned on each trip.  Your efforts here will count toward your 2nd-half class participation grade.  Rather than providing a running narrative of the day's activities (or a summary of the website you explored), your reflections should discuss issues like the key things you observed and learned; the ways the trip connected to/complemented our class discussions and readings; what you found most interesting, surprising, and/or valuable; and how this knowledge added to and/or changed your perspective on the topic.  

(1) Exploring the Science Museum (Sat., Feb. 27th, 9:30am-1pm)

We'll convene early in the semester at the famous Field Museum of Natural History, one of Chicago's great science museums located in the heart of the Museum Campus on the downtown lakefront.  Our objective during our afternoon visit is three-fold:  to get a behind-the-scenes tour of some of the Museum's vast zoological collections, courtesy of RU science professor and FMNH researcher Julian Kerbis Peterhans; to absorb and learn from the scientific content of selected exhibits; and to analyze how museums communicate complex scientific information to the general public (through text, video, hands-on displays, maps, models, etc.).

You should arrive at the south museum entrance at 9:15am, where Professor Peterhans will meet us.  This is the entrance facing Soldier Field, and nearest the main parking deck facility.  Our tour will begin promptly at 9:30 and last until approximately 10:40am.  At that point we can enter the public part of the museum and view selected exhibits for as long as you'd like.   

(2) Ecology of the Chicago River (Sat., May 1st, 1:30-4pm)

Our second trip will occur later in the semester, with the hope that the weather will be a bit warmer for an afternoon of outdoor activity.  We'll head to the North Branch of the Chicago River to conduct hands-on empirical investigations of river ecology, including streamside chemical sampling of water quality, measurement of stream flows, and surveys of invertebrate biodiversity.  This trip is coordinated with the environmental organization, Friends of the Chicago River.  More info on preparing for this outdoor experience will be provided in the Field Trip discussion forum on our Bb site.

RU students paddle up Bubbly Creek, May 2009 -- a science and sustainability studies trip coordinated withFriends of the Chicago River

Alternatives for Those Who Can't Attend Either of the Field Trips

If you're unable to attend either of the scheduled trips, consider visiting a museum or learning about a waterway near your home -- whether in person or via a little web research.  Many fine science museums are in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, notably the Museum of Science and Industry, the Shedd Aquarium, the Adler Planetarium, and the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.  Those who live at a distance could visit a local science museum of your choice.  Check a museum's website for visiting info, including free days that might be available.  Feel free to bring family members on your visit!  Most of the museums also have excellent online exhibits, which could take the place of an in-person visit, such as these at the Field Museum.

An example of doing a web-based alternative related to river ecology relevant to the perspective of my hometown of Joliet is the Des Plaines River, which bisects the city on its way to the Illinois River further downstream.  The Lower Des Plaines Ecosystem Partnership has a good website which provides ecological and planning information about the river and surrounding area.  Another would be to find a good website or document about another of the Chicago region's rivers.  If you've got a question about whether a given source or activity would be a good alternative, just email me.

Assignments

Field Trips

Links

Schedule

Texts

391 Home Page 

mb's Courses Page
(classes / office hours)

mb's Home Page

Lobby of Roosevelt's Alfred A. Robin Campus (opened 1996)

Roosevelt's National Landmark, the Auditorium Building, downtown Chicago

The Gage Building: home of the College of Professional Studies

Last updated 02/19/10