Sharing Knowledge about Water: Experiences and Practices in Teaching

Session Submission Type: Roundtable

Abstract

ONLINE: Monday, March 25: 3:00PM–4:30PM EST

Water is a timeless - and timely - topic for interdisciplinary courses in history, science, engineering, policy, literature, art, environmental studies, climate studies, and sustainability studies.
Among the three of us, we have two decades of experience in teaching interdisciplinary history courses about water, in locations including Pennsylvania, Qatar, Utah, and Panama. We have regional expertise in Latin America, the U.S. West, the Middle East, and global comparisons. This roundtable will encourage discussion about these and related topics:
-What are some of the shared points of curiosity about water, and some existing (mis)conceptions about water, from students and other learners? We'll share examples.
-What are some unique points about the discipline of History, and working with historical sources, that can be illustrated beautifully for students in learning about water? We'll share examples.
-What are some special interdisciplinary opportunities with student populations that may include STEM-based experts, for example, civil engineering students, who will soon graduate and start building water and sanitation systems? We'll share examples.
-Place-based learning is a wonderful feature for courses focused on water. We'll share examples, and encourage the audience to share some of theirs.
This pedagogy-focused roundtable will encourage focused participation from the audience, including: questions; space for sharing pedagogical exercises and strategies; and discussion.

Sub Unit

• ASEH Annual Conference

Moderator

• Abigail E Owen, Carnegie Mellon University

Presenter

• Francisco Javier Bonilla Garcia, Carnegie Mellon University