Scott K. Clark

DSC_1372 Clark 09-2010 lighter

Scott K. Clark

Assistant Professor
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Education

B.S. in Geology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 1988
M.S. in Geology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 1993
Ph.D. in Geology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, 2007

Research Interests/Current Projects

My research interests are in the fields of geocognition and isotope geochemistry. Geocognition is a relatively new field that applies cognitive science methodologies to investigations of how people perceive and interpret the Earth and Earth phenomena.

Specific research topics:

Alternative conceptions about plate tectonics held by novices
Persistence of alternative conceptions across the expert-novice continuum
Communication of scientific concepts by instructors and the news media
Perceptions of the importance of scientific concepts
Isotopic fractionation of selenium in natural environments

Selected Publications

LaDue, N.D. and Clark, S.K. (2012). Educator Perspectives on Earth System Science Literacy: Challenges and Priorities. Journal of Geoscience Education. 60(4), 372-383.

Momsen, J.L., Clark, S.K., Doherty, J.H., Haudek, K.C., Schramm, J.W., Ward, E.M.G. (2012). Lost in translation: Quantifying the overlap of popular media and non-majors science course assessment vocabulary. Ecosphere. 3(5): 43. http://dx.doi.org/10.1890/ES11-00311.1

Clark, S.K., Libarkin, J., Kortz, K., and Jordan, S. (2011) Alternative Conceptions of Plate Tectonics held by Nonscience Undergraduates. Journal of Geoscience Education. 59(4), 251-262. (Received the 2012 Outstanding Paper Award From the Journal of Geoscience Education)

Clark, S.K. & Libarkin, J. (2011). Designing a mixed-methods research instrument and scoring rubric to investigate individuals’ conceptions of plate tectonics. In A. Feig & A. Stoke (eds.) Qualitative Inquiry in Geoscience Education Research. (pp. 81-96) Boulder, CO: Geological Society of America Special Paper 474.

Kortz, K., Clark, S.K., Gray, K., Smay, J., Viveiros, B., & Steer, D. (2011). Counting tectonic plates: A mixed-methods study of college student conceptions of plates and boundaries. In A. Feig & A. Stoke (eds.) Qualitative Inquiry in Geoscience Education Research (pp. 171-188). Boulder, CO: Geological Society of America Special Paper 474.

Clark S.K. and Johnson T.M. (2010) Selenium stable isotope investigation into selenium biogeochemical cycling in a lacustrine environment: Sweitzer Lake, CO. Journal of Environmental Quality. 39(6), 2200-2210.

Clark S.K. (2010) A shift in scientific literacy: Earthquakes generate tsunamis. Eos. 91(36), 316.

Clark, S.K., Sibley, D., Libarkin, J.C., and Heidemann, M. (2009) A novel method to teaching and understanding transformations of matter in dynamic Earth systems. Journal of Geoscience Education. 57(4), 233-241.

Clark, S.K. (2009) A brief note on misconceptions regarding the candle-and-tumbler experiment. Journal of Geoscience Education. 57(2), 99-100.

Zhu J-M, Johnson T. M., Clark S.K., Zhu X-K. (2008). High precision measurement of selenium isotopic composition by hydride generation multiple collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HG-MC-ICP-MS) with a 74Se–77Se double spike. Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry, 36(10), 1385-1390.

Clark, S.K., and Johnson, T.M. (2008). Effective isotopic fractionation factors for solute removal by reactive sediments: A laboratory microcosm and slurry study. Environmental Science & Technology. 42(21), 7850-7855.

Clark, S.K., Reagan, M.K., & Trimble, D.A. (2006). Tephra deposits for the past 2,600 years from Irazú volcano, Costa Rica. In W. I. Rose, G. J. S. Bluth, M. J. Carr, J. Ewert, L. C. Patino & J. Vallance (Eds.), Volcanic Hazards in Central America (pp. 225-234). Boulder, CO: Geological Society of America Special Paper 412.

Clark, S.K., Reagan, M. K., & Plank, T. (1998). Trace element and U-series systematics for 1963-1965 tephras from Irazu Volcano, Costa Rica; implications for magma generation processes and transit times. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 62(15), 2689-2699.

Clark, S.K. (1990). Analysis of a channel-shaped dolomite lens in the Toronto Limestone in Douglas County, Kansas. The Compass, 67(3), 175-179.

Professional Conference Abstracts

Clark, S.K., Thomas, S.R., Haas, B.J., and Libarkin, J.C. (2011) Improving Communication of Geologic Concepts Through Effective Information Design. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 43(5).

LaDue, N., & Clark, S.K. (2010) Earth Science Literacy: K-12 Teacher and Geoscience Professor Perspectives. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs.

Libarkin, J., Clark, S.K., and Simmon, R. (2010) The color of confusion in an expert world. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs.

Momsen, J.L., Clark, S.K., Haudek, K., Geraghty Ward, E., Schramm, J.W., Doherty, J.H., and Vergara, C. (2010) Lost in translation: Quantifying the overlap of popular media and non-majors science course assessment vocabulary. Ecological Society of America. National Meeting.

Clark, S.K. (2009) The role of image design in communicating the plate tectonic model. Eos Trans. AGU, 90(52), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract ED51A-0516.

LaDue, N., Clark, S.K., Thompson, J., Beckendorf, K., and Wysession, M. (2009) The (mis)Alignment of the Earth Science Literacy Principles to the National Science Education Standards. Eos Trans. AGU, 90(52), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract ED33A-0552.

Kortz, K.M., Smay, J.J., Mattera, A.V., and Clark, S.K. (2009) Reducing Plate Tectonic Misconceptions with Lecture Tutorials. Eos Trans. AGU, 90(52), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract ED23A-0543.

Duggan-Haas, D., & Clark, S.K. (2009) Forest for the Trees: Earth Systems Science Literacy Initiatives and the Need for a Smaller Integrated Set of Principles (invited). Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 41(7), 712.

Clark, S.K. (2009) Plate tectonics as viewed by novices and experts. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 41(7), 251.

Jordan, S.C., Libarkin, J.C., and Clark, S.K. (2009) Too much, too little, or just right? An investigation of confidence, demographics, and correctness. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 41(7), 667.

Libarkin, J.C., Asghar, A., Clark, S.K., Elkins, J.T., and Stokes, A.J. (2009). Communicating across paradigms: Boundary-crossing in an interdisciplinary world. Physics Education Research Conference (PERC 2009 – Ann Arbor, MI.)

Clark, S.K., Heidemann, M., Libarkin, J., & Sibley, D. (2008). A novel conceptual methodology for teaching and learning dynamic processes in the geological sciences. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 40(6), 214.

Clark, S.K. & Libarkin, J. (2008). Post-instruction alternative conceptions about plate tectonics held by non-science majors. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 40(6), 364.

King, H., Stokes, A., Libarkin, J., and Clark, S.K. (2008). The emerging field of geocognition. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 40(6), 418.

Libarkin, J., & Clark, S.K. (2008). The relationship between students' confidence and conceptual understanding of plate tectonics. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 40(6), 419.

Rossman, S., Libarkin, J., and Clark, S.K. (2008). Missing connections in student conceptions of global change. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 40(6), 214.

Zhu, J., Johnson, T.M., and Clark, S.K. (2008). Selenium isotope variations in weathering zones of Se-rich carbonaceous rocks at Yutangba, China. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 72(12), Supplement 1, A1102.

Zhu, J., Johnson, T.M., and Clark, S.K. (2007). Selenium enrichment in weathering zones: Se isotopes at Yutangba, China. Eos Trans., AGU, 88(52), Fall Meeting Supplement, Abstract H41J-06.

Clark S.K. and Johnson T.M. (2007). Stable isotopes as indicators of contaminant reduction by wetland sediments: Effective fractionation factors and the role of diffusion. The 233rd American Chemical Society National Meeting. Chicago, IL, March 25, 2007.

Clark, S.K. and Midden, C.J. (2006). Earthquakes and you: Making Earth science relevant to 5th graders. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 38(7), 154.

Clark S.K. and Johnson T.M. (2004). Isotopic Fractionation of Selenium Oxyanions in Wetlands, Eos Trans. AGU, 85(17), Jt. Assem. Suppl., Abstract B41B-06.

Reagan M.K., Plank T.A., Herrstrom E.A. and Clark S.K. (1997). Extent and timing of mass transfer from the subducting Cocos plate to sources of basalts from Costa Rica and Nicaragua. (Invited Presentation) Rates and Timescales of Magmatic Processes, Geol. Soc. London, 35-36.

Clark, S.K., Reagan, M. K., and Trimble, D. A. (1994). Recent tephra stratigraphy and implications for future hazards at Irazu Volcano, Costa Rica. Geological Society of America, Cordilleran Section, 90th annual meeting, 26(2), 45.

Clark S.K. and Reagan M.K. (1993). The Origin of Ra-Th-U Disequilibria in Young Tephras from Irazú Volcano, Costa Rica. EOS, 74, 680.

External Research Grants

NSF-CCLI (DUE-0837185). PI: S. Clark; Co-PIs: J. Libarkin, K. Kortz, and J. Smay (2009-2011) Investigation of alternative conceptions about plate tectonics across the expert-novice continuum – when a well-known theory isn’t so well known. $199,471.

NSF-CCLI (DUE-0952453) PI: S. Clark; Co-PI: J. Libarkin (2010-2011) Supplemental Funding to DUE-0837185. $15,212.

Workshop Leadership

Clark, S.K., Kortz, K.M., and Smay, J.J. (2011) Common Misconceptions about Plate Tectonics, Earth’s Interior, and the Rock Cycle, with Active Learning Approaches to Correct Them: GSA Annual Meeting short course (Minneapolis, MN, 09-Oct-2011).

Clark, S.K. (2009) A Novel Approach to Teaching and Understanding Transformations of Matter in Dynamic Earth Systems: UIUC GK-12 workshop series (Urbana, IL, 11-Aug-2009) (invited).