Rachel Teasdale

Research Interests:

• Physical Volcanology and Petrology: Quantification of decompression- induced crystallization of mafic magmas with cold-seal P-T experiments; Lava flow emplacement processes; Compositional variations in mafic lava flows and relationships to mantle heterogeneities and emplacement processes
• Geoscience and STEM Education Research: Student learning, interest and TA beliefs in inquiry-based geology labs; Measuring reform teaching with RTOP (Reform Teaching Observation Protocol); Aligning active learning with more equitable assessment; Development and assessment of relevant, engaging curriculum
• Faculty Professional Development: Integration of Equity, Anti-racism, Diversity and Inclusion into instruction and mentoring; Professional Development design and assessment 

CURE-E Course: Physical Science (HNRS 103), first introduced with CURE-E Fall 2022

Project Title: Investigating California Water Issues at the Community Level

Students will work in small groups develop their own research questions that address a water issue in a community they are familiar with (local to them). The local connection offers an additional component of relevance to the overall water theme. Students will collect original data or compile data collected by hydrogeologists and available online. Students will contribute to new knowledge and offer a creative contribution to the discipline by analyzing and interpreting the data and offering communities possible solutions to the water issues they face. While their scientific contribution may not be new to the discipline, it will be new to the community students are studying.