ESP 150 Environmental Science Field Immersion (G7476)€¦ · Prepare a professional-level resume in consultation with career services Explore environmental career options and increase

University of Southern Maine Department of Environmental Science and Policy

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SYLLABUS - ESP 150: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE FIELD IMMERSION

Fall 2019 3 credits

Instructors: Professors Travis Wagner (lead instructor), Rob Sanford, Joe Staples, and Karen Wilson; Teaching Assistants: Dan Hutchings (lead TA), Michelle Radley, and Alyana McNally.

Administrative Support: Lee Ann McLaughlin, ESP Maine Office, 106 Bailey Hall

Class Times: 1. Attend one mandatory, 30-minute meeting (choose one of the following three options)

on the Gorham Campus during the week of September 9.a. Monday, September 9, 2019: 11:45 am-12:15 pm: 111 Bailey Hallb. Tuesday, September 10, 2019: 10:50 am-11:20 am: 111 Bailey Hallc. Wednesday, September 11, 2019: 11:45 am-12:15 pm: 111 Bailey Hall

2. The field immersion weekend commences at 3:30 pm on Thursday, September 12 andcontinues through about 1:00 pm Sunday, September 15.

3. Following the field immersion weekend, attend the required events and meetingsthroughout the remainder of the semester (ending December 13).

Location: Camp Cedar, 112 Camp Cedar Road, Casco, ME 04015. (Transportation to the camp from the Gorham campus and back is provided.)

Required Text: Maine Forest Service (2017). Forest Trees of Maine, 1908-2008, ISBN 9780692898765

Required notebook: Rite in the Rain all-weather environmental field book (there are various versions of this).

Introduction: This course is designed to teach basic environmental science field skills in an intensive weekend format and to foster a sense of community among environmental science and policy (ESP) students and faculty. The course includes components on forest, soil, wildlife, and aquatic systems; basic orienteering and map reading, topographical surveying, and GPS operation; and dichotomous key use. Students will also explore environmental career skills and opportunities and form the foundation for a network in developing professional relationships.

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Copyright 2019 Travis Wagner

University of Southern Maine Department of Environmental Science and Policy

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Course Goals and Objectives:

Demonstrate basic competency in environmental science field skills (compass use, dichotomous keys, transects, shoreline field assessment, tree and aquatic plant identification, use of canoes, and field equipment for water quality sampling).

Demonstrate basic familiarity with the programs, policies, and procedures of ESP

Become part of the ESP learning community

Prepare a professional-level resume in consultation with career services

Explore environmental career options and increase awareness of local and regional environmental issues through attendance at outside talks, meetings, and presentations.

Evaluation: This is a pass/fail course. Successful completion of this course is the equivalent of achieving a 75% competency or higher in assessment. This means you must satisfactorily complete all 7 of the following assignments/components to pass this course. Students must:

1. Attend one mandatory 30-minute meeting prior to the Field Immersion Weekend. Choose one of the following three options:

- Monday, September 9, 2019: 11:45 am-12:15 pm – 111 Bailey Hall - Tuesday, September 10, 2019: 10:50 am-11:20 am – 111 Bailey Hall - Wednesday, September 11, 2019: 11:45 am-12:15 pm – 111 Bailey Hall

2. Throughout the Field Immersion Weekend, attend and participate in all activities (academic, community-based, and housekeeping).

3. Complete your daily reflection entry in your field notebook.

4. Demonstrate competency in environmental science field skills through a final field exam.

5. Attend three approved, environmental-related professional events and upload a written summary and proof of attendance (a selfie) to BB.

- #1 due by October 15, 2019

- #2 due by November 15, 2019

- #3 due by December 13, 2019

We will post many (not all) qualifying events on the course Blackboard site or the ESP listserv—events such as ESP internship night, environmental talks, conference, workshops, & presentations. Students may also submit events of their own for eligibility determination prior to the event (e.g., solar power expo, local environmental presentation, or a town planning board meeting).

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Copyright 2019 Travis Wagner

University of Southern Maine Department of Environmental Science and Policy

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6. Meet with a USM Career Advisor and prepare and upload a resume to BB

You will need to make an appointment to meet a USM Career Advisor during the semester. Note, appointments can take up to two weeks so be sure to plan accordingly. They also offer drop-in days on Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the semester, but there is typically a wait time of 30 to 60 minutes. To document your meeting, be sure to upload a selfie of your meeting. Following the meeting, you will need to upload a copy of your new, professional resume.

7. Attend one Environmental Science Student group meeting/activity

Attendance can be at a regularly scheduled ESP student group meeting or a student group-sponsored event. Post on BB a selfie at the meeting for confirmation.

Participation: Everyone must be at the camp throughout the entire period and at all events. No one is allowed to leave except for emergencies cleared with the faculty. Leaving camp for any reason other than a medical emergency will result in a failing grade for the course. You will be asked to assist with camp chores such as grounds keeping, gathering kindling, putting canoes away, and meal clean-up so be sure to be in attendance. This is all part of course participation. Participation includes leaving your cell/smart phone in your cabin during scheduled events. It also means having your nametag “cookie” on at all times outside of your cabin. You will be divided into two groups, Acer and Quercus and you will work in pairs/small teams throughout the weekend. What to bring: A letter was emailed to all registered students detailing what to pack. You will need a sleeping bag (it can get cold at night), towels/washcloths/soap, personal toiletries, backpack for day use (or functional equivalent), wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen - at least SPF 35, bug spray, sunglasses, clothing and footwear for a variety of weather conditions (including cold & rain), water bottle, field notebook and pencils, personal entertainment - books, cards, Frisbees, musical instrument, sketchpad, fishing gear (and license), etc. Parking for Field Immersion: For those of you who will leave your cars at USM, we have arranged for long term parking from September 12 through September 15, in parking lot G13C on the Gorham Campus, located behind Costello Sports complex. On-line support: This course has a Blackboard site for announcements, discussions, grades, and other course support activities. All students are expected to access this site and use it. All students receive a university email address that allows them into Blackboard for their courses. The following link presents a quick guide for students new to Blackboard: https://usm.maine.edu/online/tutorials.

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Copyright 2019 Travis Wagner

University of Southern Maine Department of Environmental Science and Policy

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WEEKEND SCHEDULE

Monday – Wednesday, September 10-12 Required Pre-meeting (choose any 1 of the following):

Monday, September 10 - 12:00-12:30 pm, Bailey 111, Gorham Tuesday, September 11 - 10:50-11:15 am, Bailey 111, Gorham Wednesday, September 12 - 12:00-12:25 pm, Bailey 111, Gorham

Thursday, September 12, 2019 (Lead Faculty indicated after each activity) 3:30 pm Board bus at Bailey Hall, Library Entrance, Gorham Campus, depart for camp 4:30 Arrive & check in at Camp Cedar – Travis & TAs 6:00-7:00 Dinner 7:00-8:00 ESP and TAH Mixed Event 8:00-9:00 Welcome & Orientation to ESP – ESP Faculty & TAs 9:00-10:00 Reflection time Friday, September 13, 2019 7:00-7:50 Morning walk (optional) and/or reflection time 8:00-8:45 Breakfast 8:45-9:00 Morning Meeting (Travis & Joe) 9:00-12:00 Orienteering (Acer) Joe & Tree Identification (Quercus) Travis 12:00-1:00 Lunch 1:00-4:00 Orienteering (Quercus) Joe & Tree Identification (Acer) Travis 4:00-4:30 Personal Time 4:30-5:45 Small group discussions with senior ESP students & Faculty 6:00-7:00 Dinner with guests 7:45-9:00 ESP Trivia Contest (Travis & Rob) 9:00-? Campfire (Optional), TAs Saturday, September 14, 2018 7:00-7:50 Morning walk (optional) and/or reflection time 8:00-8:45 Breakfast 8:45-9:00 Morning Meeting (Karen & Rob) 9:00 -12:00 Watershed assessment (Acer) Rob & Aquatic species (Quercus) – Karen 12:00-1:00 Lunch 1:00-4:00 Watershed assessment (Quercus) Rob & Aquatic species (Acer) – Karen 4:00-4:30 Personal Time 4:30-5:45 Ecological Scavenger hunt – TAs 6:00-7:00 Dinner 7:00-8:00 Mapping contest – TAs 8:00-9:30 Mandatory Campy Movie – Travis (faculty disavow responsibility on movie

choice) 9:45-? Campfire – TAs

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Copyright 2019 Travis Wagner

University of Southern Maine Department of Environmental Science and Policy

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Sunday, September 15, 2018 7:00-7:50 Morning walk (optional) and/or reflection time 8:00-8:45 Breakfast 8:45-11:15 Morning Meeting/Field Skills Exam - ESP Faculty and TAs 11:15 Closing Ceremony awards and team photo – ESP Faculty 11:45 Camp Cleanup – Everyone 12:00 Depart Camp Cedar 1:00 Arrive back at Bailey Hall Support for Students with Disabilities The university is committed to providing students with documented disabilities equal access to all university programs and services. If you have a disability and would like to request accommodations, you must register with the Disability Services Center. Timely notification is essential. The Disability Services Center can be reached by calling 207-780-4706 or by email at [email protected]. If you have already received a faculty accommodation letter from the Disability Services Center, please provide me with that information as soon as possible. Please make a private appointment so that we can review your accommodations. USM Core Engaged Learning Course This course satisfies the USM Core Engaged Learning requirement by providing you with an opportunity to apply your knowledge, skills, and abilities beyond the traditional classroom. In this Engaged Learning course, you will:

1. Apply your theoretical and conceptual knowledge to substantial, sustained, and collaborative activities.

2. Situate the engaged learning experience in historical, cultural, technological, and other contexts.

3. Effectively listen to, collaborate, and communicate with participants in the engaged learning experience.

4. Demonstrate self-directed learning through the substantial, sustained, and collaborative activities.

5. Critically reflect on your theoretical and conceptual knowledge as a result of the engaged learning experience.

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Copyright 2019 Travis Wagner