Assistant High School

Eric M. Butler

*** ***** **, **********, ** ***** Telephone: 802-***-**** email: *******@***.***

http://www.uvm.edu/geology/geodept/geograd/eric/index.html

Education

University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont

Master of Arts, Teaching (Geology concentration), May 2004

Cumulative Grade Point Average: 3.7/4.0

Degree Focus

The M.A.T. degree is intended to provide training in educational research and methods

for students whose academic background is in another field. This program provided the

opportunity to build links between geoscience, education, and public outreach.

Coursework

Full Education courseload supplemented by the following Geology courses:

Geomorphology Fluvial Forms & Processes

Geochemistry of Natural Waters Surface Processes Seminar

Vermont Field Geology Critical Analysis of Geologic Writing

Honors and Awards

Nominated for UVM Graduate Teaching Fellow of the Year (spring 2002)

Awarded UVM Graduate Teaching Fellow of the Year (spring 2003)

Beloit College, Beloit, Wisconsin

Bachelor of Science in Geology and minor in Russian language, May 2001

Senior Thesis: Timing and Metamorphism of the Central Gneiss Complex, Prince Rupert, BC

Cumulative Grade Point Average: 3.6/4.0

Curriculum Development

University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont

College-level

- Spring 2002 through fall 2003, developed a series of discussion-based lab sections to

complement a large introductory geology class at UVM, using discussion and other

research-based educational practices to enhance student learning and participation in

Earth Hazards (GEOL 007). This work has produced several publications (see below).

For more information, visit: http://www.uvm.edu/~earthhaz/hazards/index.html

- Spring 2002 through spring 2003, developed several laboratories, exercises, and

demonstrations for use in multiple geology classes at UVM, including virtual field

mapping projects and live-action bolide impact models.

Secondary-level

- Fall 2003 through spring 2004, while a student teacher, worked with 8th grade

teachers at local middle school to develop and implement science & history

curriculum based on the Vermont Landscape Change Project. See also

Outreach/Interpretation below.

- Spring 2004, while a student teacher, developed units for 6-8 grade students in

ecology, chemistry, physics, and earth science.

Eric M. Butler

434 North St, Burlington, VT 05401 Telephone: 802-***-**** email: *******@***.***

http://www.uvm.edu/geology/geodept/geograd/eric/index.html

Teaching Experience

University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont

Teaching Assistant, Geology Department, UVM

- Earth Hazards (GEOL 007), fall 2001, 2002

- Earth and Environments Through Time (GEOL 062), spring 2002, 2003

- Introductory Geology (GEOL 001), spring 2003

Curriculum Assistant, Geology Department, UVM

- Trained TAs for leading Discussion Sections in Earth Hazards (GEOL 007), assisted

TAs in implementation of Discussion Section curriculum, fall 2003

Science camp faculty (middle and high school students)

- Governor's Institute of Vermont, Science & Technology Institute, summer 2002, 2003

- Summer Science Adventure, summer 2002, 2003

- Governor's Institute of Vermont, Snow Studies program, winter 2003, 2004

Middle school student teacher

- Fall 2003 through spring 2004, part to full-time student teacher at local 6-8 school,

taught units in chemistry, physics, ecology, and earth science.

Beloit College, Beloit, Wisconsin

Teaching Assistant, Geology Department, Beloit College, 1999-2001

Tutor, Geology Department, Beloit College, 1999-2000

Outreach/Interpretation

Geoscience education/outreach

- Fall 2001 through spring 2004, as volunteer: led geology museum tours, gave

presentations at local schools, led school field trips to sites of geologic interest,

answered geologic inquiries from the community, and worked with individual students.

- Spring 2004, developed website presenting the landscape history of Shelburne, VT

through the lens of historic photography, based on personal research and work with

local teachers, students, and residents: http://www.uvm.edu/shelburnelandscape

- Summer 2004, web and tech support for Governor's Institure of Vermont Science &

Technology Institute, including developing and maintaining web site offering data and

imagery resources for students, as well as working with students on web & tech projects

related to their science research. http://www.uvm.edu/giv/givsummer04

Public interpretation

- Fall 2003, developed website presenting historical research into landscape history of

Oakledge Park in Burlington, VT: http://www.uvm.edu/oakledge

- Summer 2004, developed series of draft interpretive signs for Oakledge Park in

Burlington, VT that met the Lake Champlain Basin Program's interpretive

methods and themes. http://www.uvm.edu/geology/geodept/geograd/eric/oakledge.html

Lake Meredith National Recreation Area, Fritch, Texas

Geologist and Interpretive Ranger with National Park Service (summer 2001)

- Developed visitor & staff guides to the geology of the park based on personal research

and field work, developed and led interpretive hikes discussing the anthropological and

geological history of the region (northern Texas), and gave similar talks to local

organizations (e.g. Lions Club). Internship was funded by Geological Society of America.

Eric M. Butler

434 North St, Burlington, VT 05401 Telephone: 802-***-**** email: *******@***.***

http://www.uvm.edu/geology/geodept/geograd/eric/index.html

Geologic Research

University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont

Geologic field work

- 2002-2003, worked with L. Reusser along the Susquehanna River in southeastern

Pennsylvania. Spent approximately eleven weeks over six trips developing and executing a

sampling strategy in order to cosmogenically date strath terraces in a bedrock gorge.

- 2003, worked with J. Reuter in the Susquehanna River basin. Spent approximately two

weeks collecting sediment samples from tributaries to the Susquehanna in order to

evaluate long-term erosion rates for the Susquehanna basin through cosmogenic analysis.

Beloit College, Beloit, Wisconsin

Undergraduate research

- Summer 2000, participated in Keck Geology Consortium research project in coastal

British Columbia, studying tectonic and metamorphic history of several accreted

terranes near Prince Rupert, B.C. This work produced a senior thesis and was presented

at the Keck Geology Symposium in spring 2001.

Publications/Presentations

Butler, E., Bierman, P., and Gajda, R. (2003), Investigation-stimulated discussion sections

make geoscience more relevant in large lecture class, Eos, Trans., AGU, Vol. 84, No. 47,

pp. 517, 522

Butler, E., and Bierman, P., Using discussion sections and other effective teaching methods

to improve a large introductory geologic hazards course (in preparation for J.G.E.)

Butler, E., (2003), Large intro courses that work: sharing exciting and effective teaching

strategies, Geological Society of America annual meeting, session T30 (session convener)

Butler, E., and Bierman, P., (2003), Making a mess of lecture: using fun, interactive physical

demonstrations in a large lecture setting, Geological Society of America Abstracts and

Programs, #180-14

Butler, E., and Bierman, P., (2002), Increasing student involvement in large lecture classes:

making geoscience interesting and relevant, Geological Society of America Abstracts and

Programs, #66-24.

References

Paul Bierman

Department of Geology, 307 Delehanty Building, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT,

05405. Phone: 802-***-**** Email: ****.*******@***.***

Charlotte Mehrtens

Department of Geology, 207 Delehanty Building, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT,

05405. Phone: 802-***-**** Email: *********.********@***.***

Garet Allen-Malley

Department of Education, 407 Waterman Building, University of Vermont, Burlington,

VT, 05405. Phone: 802-***-**** Email: *****.*****-******@***.***

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