(Ebook) Agassiz's Legacy: Scientists' Reflections on the Value of Field Experience by Elizabeth Higgins Gladfelter ISBN 9780195154412, 9780195154429, 019515441X, 0195154428

(Ebook) Agassiz's Legacy: Scientists' Reflections on the Value of Field Experience by Elizabeth Higgins Gladfelter ISBN 9780195154412, 9780195154429, 019515441X, 0195154428

Compelling oral histories from many of the most interesting and important field investigators who came into their prime in the 1950's through the 1990's, describing the role of mentors and students, field courses and field experiences in determining their careers. Backgrounds, education andscientific contributions are elucidated through interviews. Presented in chronological sequence by generation and placed in the context of broader societal influences, these oral histories are used to examine how the pendulum in modern science has swung from description to theory; fromgeneralization to specialization; from emphasis on teaching to domination by research and administrative hierarchies. Read at one level, these vignettes portray the profound sense of fun and joy of science, both as an activity and a career. At another level, the text provides a historical tale ofscience and scientists that is not normally told. The scientific study of nature is an important end in itself. Further more, the field sciences are critical to the generation of significant scientific questions in many disciplines, as well as providing a context to test theory and view scientificresults from larger and smaller temporal and spatial scales. Being in the field, using all ones senses to study nature, also provides inspiration and motivation. It is suggested that if we as a society want the kind of science produced by this group of scientists; if we wan to pass the art offield science to the next generation; then we must provide the same kinds of opportunities to learn these skills through the kinds of mentors, courses and field opportunities which were available to these distinguished scientists.