Experiential Learning

Experiential learning experiences provide students with direct experiences, accompanied with a critical reflection. Instructors often select the experiences for students, but then serve as the facilitator when the experience is occurring. These experiences are often conducted in informal education settings and with clubs and organizations, but also have a place in the formal setting.

Lab 2: Measuring Velocity in a Channel

Goals: Measure the mean velocity in the laboratory flume using two different methods, and determine whether these estimates agree within the uncertainty.

Read more: Lab 2: Measuring Velocity in a Channel
Lab 3: Residence Time Distribution and System Circulation

Objectives: Estimate detention time and nominal residence time in a model basin

Read more: Lab 3: Residence Time Distribution and System Circulation
Lab 4: Transport in Porous Media

Objective: Use a tracer study to estimate the dispersion coefficient, pore velocity and porosity of a sediment column.

Read more: Lab 4: Transport in Porous Media
Lab 8: Dissolution of the Gypsum and the Laminar Sub-Layer

You will use two methods to estimate the laminar sub-layer thickness in the laboratory flume. The first method is based on the observed dissolution rate of Gypsum bars, and is described below.

Read more: Lab 8: Dissolution of the Gypsum and the Laminar Sub-Layer
Lab 10: Atmosphere-Water Exchange

You will estimate the rate of exchange between a water body (the flume) and the overlying air for two volatile compounds, molecular oxygen and chloroform. You will use an oxygen electrode to measure the changing concentration of oxygen, and gas chromatography (GC) to observe the concentration of chloroform.

Read more: Lab 10: Atmosphere-Water Exchange
Negotiation Exercise

Throughout the course you will participate in role-playing negotiation exercises. You will be assigned a role, partnered with one or more other students, given a case with instructions and confidential information, and asked to prepare and negotiate.

Read more: Negotiation Exercise
Section 1: Atmospheric Photochemistry and Air Pollution

Lab on Atmospheric Photochemistry and Air Pollution for Experimental Atmospheric Chemistry.

Read more: Section 1: Atmospheric Photochemistry and Air Pollution
Section 2: CO2 and Climate Change

Lab on CO₂ and Climate Change for Experimental Atmospheric Chemistry.

Read more: Section 2: CO2 and Climate Change
Section 3: Aerosol and Clouds

Lab handouts for Section 3 of experiemental atmospheric chemistry.

Read more: Section 3: Aerosol and Clouds
Final Design Review & Presentations

Each team will prepare the following: one-minute presentation; poster session and final design review.

Read more: Final Design Review & Presentations

Notice something that doesn’t seem right? Want to make a suggestion or provide feedback about how something is classified?
Please reach out to esi [at] mit.edu and include SCALES Website in the subject of your email.
Feedback and any actions taken with regards to the feedback, will be shared as they are addressed.

Experiential Learning

Lab 2: Measuring Velocity in a Channel

Lab 3: Residence Time Distribution and System Circulation

Lab 4: Transport in Porous Media

Lab 8: Dissolution of the Gypsum and the Laminar Sub-Layer

Lab 10: Atmosphere-Water Exchange

Negotiation Exercise

Section 1: Atmospheric Photochemistry and Air Pollution

Section 2: CO2 and Climate Change

Section 3: Aerosol and Clouds

Final Design Review & Presentations