Using benchtop experiments to teach dimensional analysis and analogue modeling to graduate geoscience students

The need for geoscience students to develop a quantitative skillset is ever increasing. However, this can be difficult to implement in university-style lecture courses in a way that is both manageable for the instructor and does not involve lengthy, potentially repetitive, question sheets for the students. Here, a method for teaching dimensional analysis, basic fluid dynamics, and the interpretation and scaling of experimental data is presented for a graduate student audience. The proposed method utilizes simple fluid dynamic benchtop experiments that require a small amount of teaching space and use readily available, low cost materials. Our analysis of student performance through pre- and post-tests demonstrates that students have a better knowledge of dimensional analysis, data interpretation and experimental design after the series of practical sessions compared to instruction through a single, passive lecture. We therefore show that simple benchtop experiments can be an effective way to improve and integrate quantitative learning into a graduate geoscience class.

地球科学专业学生培养定量技能的需求与日俱增。然而，在大学式讲授课程中，兼顾授课教师教学便利性、且不为学生布置冗长且可能重复的习题册的前提下推行此类教学，颇具难度。本文面向研究生群体，提出了一套面向量纲分析、基础流体动力学，以及实验数据解读与标度的教学方法。该教学方法依托简易流体动力学桌面实验开展，仅需少量教学空间，且使用易于获取的低成本实验材料。我们通过前测与后测对学生学习成果进行分析，结果显示，相较于单次被动讲授的教学方式，经过一系列实操课程后，学生在量纲分析、数据解读与实验设计方面的掌握程度显著更优。因此，本研究证实，简易桌面实验可有效提升定量学习效果，并将其融入研究生地球科学课程之中。