James Tait, ph.d.

Associate Professor
Science Education and Environmental Studies

Southern Connecticut State University
New Haven, CT 06515
Phone: (203) 392-5838;
Fax: (203) 392-6614
E-mail:taitj1@southernct.edu

DEPARTMENTAL AND UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS

Earth & Environmental Sciences
Environmental Studies

EDUCATION

Ph.D., Earth Sciences (1995)
University of California - Santa Cruz, California

M.S., Earth Sciences (1988)
University of California - Santa Cruz, California

B.S., Earth Sciences (1986)
University of California - Santa Cruz, California

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Research Associate
Institute for Marine Sciences, University of California - Santa Cruz

 
RESEARCH INTERESTS

Marine Geology
Oceanography
Earth & Environmental Sciences
Coastal geomorphic processes,
Coastal sediment supply systems,
Impacts of Engineering structures on beaches,
Coastal Erosion and Storm impacts,
Coastal landscape evolution
 

MEMBERSHIPS

American Geophysical Union
Geologic Society of America
American Shore and Beach Preservation Association
Science Advisory Committee, Connecticut Audubon Coastal Center
 

COLLABORATIONS

Chair, General Education Task Force
Southern Connecticut State University (2005)

Chair, Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (UCF)
Southern Connecticut State University (2000 - 2004)

Science Advisory Committee (SAC) of the Connecticut Audubon Society Coastal Center (1997-present)
The members of this committee plan and direct research at Wheeler Salt Marsh and Milford Spit. This tract of land includes the Hubbel-Smith State Wildlife Reserve, The Charles E. Wheeler State Wildlife Management Area, the Stewart B. McKinney Federal Wildlife Reserve, and the Connecticut Audubon Coastal Center. The SAC is the guiding body of the Milford Point Ecosystem Project (MPEP) and also functions in an advisory capacity to local management and conservation agencies.

Convener, Invited Speaker - The First Housatonic River Research Symposium: The State of the Watershed (March 1999)

Programme Referee - Natural Environment Research Council, Science Programmes Directorate, United Kingdom (1998)
Served as a reviewer for the United Kingdom's Center for Coastal and Marine Sciences strategic plan with particular attention to Forecasting Coastal Evolution Programme.

Conference on Teaching University Level Oceanography, UCONN, Avery Point, (May 3, 1997)

Conference on the Use of Computer Technology in Science Teaching Labs. Central Connecticut State University (May 9, 1997)

Instructor, Science Connections, a program jointly run by the University of California, Santa Cruz, and the Santa Cruz County School District. Science Connections is a federal Eisenhower science education grant to train K-12 teachers in effective strategies for working with underrepresented youth in science (1993-1995).

GeoAce Coordinator. Founding instructor for the U.C. Santa Cruz Earth Science Department's Academic Excellence Program. ACE (Academic Excellence) is a program which places underrepresented minorities in science honors sections and encourages students to consider science careers. Designed most of the curriculum. Program is currently funded by a grant from the ARCO Foundation. Contributed a major portion of the text for this year's grant application. (Fall 1994)

Co-instructor for Earth Sciences 196, Teaching Earth Sciences, an upper division seminar and practicum for undergraduates. Course was divided between a seminar focusing teaching concepts and techniques and assisting TAs in lower division earth science classes.

Earth Sciences Teaching Assistant Training Program. Responsible for teaching new TAs how to be effective teachers. Topics included preparation, lecture techniques, classroom dynamics, resources, dealing with diversity, and a practicum. Organized the curriculum and taught this quarter-long workshop in 1991, 1992, and 1993.