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• Studying student through expert geoscientists engaged in geologic mapping in order to determine how geological knowledge, spatial ability, mental models and patterns of movement impact problem-solving. 
• Documenting student conceptions of complex biogeochemical systems in a field-based undergraduate course.
• Examining the changing role of fieldwork in geoscience workforce preparation and expert perception of fault systems in the field.

Her research leads to both theoretical models of geological cognition and to practical ideas for improved field-based instruction. She also supervises several doctoral and master's students who are conducting research in geoscience education.

Petcovic is active in the preparation and professional development of K-12 earth science teachers. She has been involved with several teacher development projects, most recently as an instructor in the at Michigan Technological University. She teaches undergraduate earth science courses for future elementary and secondary science teachers, and graduate courses in science education theory, research and practice. She serves as the departmental advisor for earth science and integrated science secondary education majors, helping to prepare undergraduate students to teach grades six through 12. She is also a faculty advisor for the Michigan Geological Repository for Research and Education's K-12 Earth Science Outreach Program.

Petcovic is an associate editor for research for the , and past chair of the of the Geological Society of America. She is a former Distinguished Lecturer for the

Recent Publications

• Petcovic, H. L., Ormand, C. J., and Krantz, R. W. (In press). Earth, mind, and paper: Field sketches as expert representations of the Hat Creek fault zone. In R. W. Krantz, C. J. Ormand, and B. Freeman (Eds), 3-D Structural Interpretation: Earth, Mind, and Machine: AAPG Memoir 111, p. 173-189.

• Tarampi, M. R., Atit, K., Petcovic, H. L., Shipley, T. F., and Hegarty, M. (In press). Spatial ability in expert geoscientists. In R. W. Krantz, C. J. Ormand, and B. Freeman (Eds), 3-D Structural Interpretation: Earth, Mind, and Machine: AAPG Memoir 111, p.

• Baker, K. M., *Johnson, A. C., *Callahan, C. N., & Petcovic, H. L. (2016). Use of cartographic images by expert and novice field geologists in planning fieldwork routes. Cartography and Geographic Information Science, 43(2): 176-187. DOI: 10.1080/15230406.2015.1072735

For a more complete list of publications by Dr. Petcovic, please consult her CV or visit .