Brownfield Action (BA) is a web-based, interactive, three-dimensional digital space and learning simulation in which students form geotechnical consulting companies, perform Phase One and Phase Two Environmental Site Assessments, and work collaboratively to explore and solve problems in environmental forensics.

BA’s civic-minded, inquiry-based learning approach successfully combines the advanced use of digital space with the environmental, economic, and civic importance of brownfields, pollution of groundwater, and the consequences of toxification of the environment to public health. As such, BA is making contributions to both teaching and learning as well as to the application of digital technology in the classroom.

Used since 1999 at Barnard College, a diverse women’s liberal arts college, BA has established itself, through a series of independent professional evaluations, as a highly successful pedagogical model for teaching introductory environmental science. This model, where interdisciplinary scientific and social information is integrated within a constructivist learning environment, improves student learning and has the ability to transform the teaching of environmental science throughout the country.

The award-winning BA simulation was developed by Peter Bower at Barnard College in collaboration with Columbia University’s Center for New Media Teaching and Learning (CCNMTL). While BA is also a curriculum and forms the basis for a semester long exploration that is the foundation for the Introduction to Environmental Science course at Barnard, BA has also been adapted for use in upper level hydrology and environmental site assessment courses at Connecticut College, Lafayette College and Georgia College and State University. Many new users are working to incorporate BA into their courses.

This BA web site provides:

• information about the BA simulation and curriculum, its development, evolution, and use in an introductory environmental science course at Barnard College (see “About Brownfield Action”);
• information about how BA could be adapted for use in your course, curriculum, or specific teaching or training environment and some specifics about the BA simulation and graphical user interface (GUI) as well as a “Resources for Teachers and Users” section (see “Brownfield Action in Your Course”)
• a log of recent news and press coverage (see “News and Press”);
• a list of BA personnel, users, and consultants (see “Participants”);
• several ways to contact the staff at BA (see “Contact Us”);
• a demonstration of the BA GUI (see “DEMO” above);
• an introductory video (see “TRAILER” above);
• a user account interface (click on the “Create new account” link) where interested parties may request an account for access to the “Resources for Teachers and Users” area (see “Brownfield Action in Your Course” for more information).