UVSC course held up as 'best practices' example

OREM — Jim Callison holds up a small replica of a yellow log skidder — a reminder of his former days in the logging industry — and explains to students how he used to clear-cut hills in southern Utah.

"The real heart of the problem in this case is protecting the soil" from erosion, said Callison, now a professor at Utah Valley State College, as he explains how the blade of a log skidder can be used to cut "water bars" into a hillside to stop soil from running downhill.

Callison, who has been teaching Introduction to Environmental Management since 1994, knows his stuff. The Center for Educational Policy Research, based in Eugene, Ore., recently identified the college course as an example of "best practices" in a study of 53 environmental science college courses throughout the United States.

Environmental Management is part of UVSC's Earth Sciences program, and Callison's class is a survey of basics of the field, such as the impacts of industry on pollution and methods to curb environmental impacts.

"I don't think I'm a perfect teacher," Callison said, "but I work hard and try to give students their money's worth."

For the study, Callison answered a 150-question survey and was rated on content covered, critical-thinking skill requirements and instructional techniques in the course. For each item, Callison rated how important it was for the success of the course.

Experts in environmental science compared his answers to the class syllabus and paperwork pertaining to major assignments. They found them consistent, which earned the class the recognition, CEPR director David Conley wrote in an e-mail to the Deseret Morning News.

College environmental science courses are being reviewed by CEPR on behalf of the College Board, the New York nonprofit that designs the SAT and Advancement Placement programs for college-bound high school students.

AP Environmental Science is one of four science courses that will be redesigned with a grant from the National Science Foundation, the College Board announced in May. AP biology, chemistry and physics are the other courses.

Callison said the local AP Environmental Science classes are strong.

"I've really been impressed with high school teachers, the AP group," he said. "I think they're going through adjustments" because the AP Environmental Science class is new.

UVSC junior Jennifer Bechthold, who is in Callison's class this semester, says the course has deepened her knowledge of the topic.

She said she appreciates Callison's direct approach.

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E-mail: lhancock@desnews.com