Silica School is a small private online course, or SPOC, focused on the study of the silica cycle on planet Earth.

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The Silica School is created through a collaboration between several institutions and competent faculty members in order to offer the best and most up-to-date e-learning experience on the subject of “Silica: from stardust to the living world” that will examine the role of silica under four major themes:

 

• Silica in the Universe

• Silica in the Ocean

• Silica in the Living World

• Silica in the Future

 

The objective of this SPOC is to offer students the tools and knowledge to help them better understand the importance of silica in the natural world, alongside the opportunity to interact with international experts studying silica in the fields of chemistry, biology, geology, and physics.

 

The Silica School will provide students access to the online lectures, course materials, and contact with available instructors via question and answer forums. The question and answer forums will be available for specific dates during the course, encouraging effective and efficient communication between the students and the instructors of the Silica School that are available for interaction.

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The course is divided into 4 modules that include 10 excellent individual courses covering a broad range of topics related to silica. Each class will be available online to allow students to acquire knowledge on each concept at their own pace. The total time to complete each course will vary depending on each student’s background and the topics covered. Online classes will include specific directions for the students to perform tasks (discussion board, individual assignments) and/or quizzes to both help the student practice and to assess comprehension. In addition, the course will offer the opportunity for face-to-face interactions with the class tutors.

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IBiS are pleased to be able to offer funded places on the course.

 

If you are interested in participating in the Silica School, or have a student that would like to take part, please get in touch.