Janet MacFall and Steve Moore in the Department of Environmental Studies co-authored a publication that introduces students to the most current techniques for conducting field research.
Two Elon University faculty members have published a lab manual intended to enhance the way that students learn in their introduction to environmental science classes.
Published by Kendall Hunt Publishing, “Environmental Science Lab Manual” by Janet MacFall and Steve Moore in the Department of Environmental Studies features both established and new laboratory assignments to help teach students the most effective approaches to conducting research.
The manual differs from others in environmental science by working with an overarching theme of human impacts on pond ecosystems. The manual’s first edition is specifically designed for Elon classes, though MacFall and Moore plan to release a second edition next year for classrooms everywhere.
The new edition will accompany an instructor’s manual to assist college professors teaching the laboratory assignments for the first time.
For MacFall and Moore, the manual has important implications for the students who use it. “This gives students a nice understanding of how science is done and how to make decisions when we don’t always know all the answers,” MacFall said.
MacFall and Moore said they hope the manual will support students working together to understand greater environmental issues regardless of academic major. “It really helps everybody to find common ground,” Moore said.
MacFall has taught at Elon since 1996 in the departments of Environmental Studies and Biology. She is currently working with the Haw River Conservation and Cultural Corridor as well as the Regional Food System to increase sustainable food production.
Moore currently teaches agro-ecology in the Department of Environmental Studies and directs the university’s Peace Corps Prep Program. He has been published for his work with energy use in food systems and serves as the associate editor of the Journal of Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems.