Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America
Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America
Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America
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in the past, are multiplied by 50 years. These are added to the stable slope setback and a 75 foot<br />
facility setback to produce a total setback line.<br />
SESSION NO. 35, 3:00 PM<br />
Friday, 3 May 2013<br />
T21. Field Trips, Guidebooks, and Apps: Exploring the<br />
Present, Past and Future <strong>of</strong> <strong>Geological</strong> Field Trips and<br />
Field Trip Guidebooks<br />
Fetzer Center, Room 2040<br />
35-1 3:00 PM Evans, Kevin R. [217195]<br />
MEMOIRS OF AN UNREPENTANT GEOLOGIC FIELD TRIP LEADER<br />
EVANS, Kevin R., Geography, Geology, & Planning Dept, Missouri State University,<br />
Springfield, MO 65897, kevinevans@missouristate.edu<br />
Geologic field trips fall into three categories: student, pr<strong>of</strong>essional, and recreational. Geoscience<br />
teachers generally agree that student field trips <strong>of</strong>fer some <strong>of</strong> the best opportunities for student<br />
learning. This is perhaps attributable to the novelty for students and the immersive aspects that<br />
enhance engagement. They clearly provide an opportunity for development <strong>of</strong> experiential skill<br />
sets from observation, interpretation, and feedback through the Socratic method. Pr<strong>of</strong>essional and<br />
recreational field trips share many <strong>of</strong> the same attributes but tend to address more controversial<br />
content or require greater physical exertion.<br />
So how does one learn to plan and lead geologic field trips? Budgeting and liability advice<br />
are available in the <strong>Geological</strong> <strong>Society</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>America</strong> Section Handbook, which is available online<br />
(http://www.geosociety.org/sectionmanual/toc.htm#ft), but there are few other resources and<br />
checklists for field trip leaders. Experience is not always the best teacher, but anecdotes can give<br />
insight into the variety <strong>of</strong> mishaps that can befall a trip. This talk provides personal and secondhand<br />
examples <strong>of</strong> inclement weather, poor road conditions, bad navigation, vehicle breakdowns,<br />
medical risks, natural hazards, and potential liabilities. All-in-all, there are few field trips where<br />
negative extrinsic factors have not served to make them memorable — if not treasured — in<br />
hindsight.<br />
35-2 3:20 PM Savina, Mary E. [218743]<br />
FIELD TRIPS: A “SIGNATURE PEDAGOGY” FOR GEOSCIENCE’S “TANGLED BANKS”<br />
SAVINA, Mary E., Geology, Carleton College, 1 N. College St, Northfield, MN 55057,<br />
msavina@carleton.edu<br />
According to Lee Shulman, each pr<strong>of</strong>ession has a “signature pedagogy,” a type <strong>of</strong> assignment or<br />
experience that sets that discipline apart. In geology, one <strong>of</strong> the signature pedagogies is the field<br />
trip. As all <strong>of</strong> us know, outcrops, modern geologic environments and, in fact, other data sources<br />
used by geoscientists are complex: much is missing, some things are overrepresented, etc. The<br />
challenge <strong>of</strong> sorting it all out is what enticed many <strong>of</strong> us to geoscience in the first place. We don’t<br />
have to search beyond our local exposures for the kind <strong>of</strong> messy, real-life problems that make<br />
for excellent instructional material, both for geoscience students and others taking our classes.<br />
At Carleton College, we base our undergraduate teaching on multiple field experiences: starting<br />
early, happening <strong>of</strong>ten, and set up as inquiries. Because pr<strong>of</strong>essional geoscientists use the “field<br />
trip” signature pedagogy too, not only <strong>with</strong> their students, but <strong>with</strong> each other, writing a field trip<br />
guidebook is something we can ask our students to do, along <strong>with</strong> writing in other pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
formats such as literature reviews, grant proposals and research results. Doing the research and<br />
writing ahead <strong>of</strong> the trip gives students more ownership when the trip happens. Moreover, the<br />
students responsible for the guidebook entries can then lead the problem-solving and discussion<br />
at the field trip sites.<br />
35-3 3:40 PM Rawling, J. Elmo [218641]<br />
DEVIL’S LAKE FIELDTRIPS REBOOTED: MIXING TRADITION AND TECHNOLOGY<br />
RAWLING, J. Elmo III1 , ROWLEY, Rex1 , GULTCH, Ben1 , MCCARTNEY, M. Carol2 , and<br />
ATTIG, John W. 3 , (1) Geography/Geology, University <strong>of</strong> Wisconsin Platteville, 1 University<br />
Plaza, Platteville, WI 53818, rawlingj@uwplatt.edu, (2) Wisconsin <strong>Geological</strong> and Natural<br />
History Survey, University <strong>of</strong> Wisconsin - Extension, 3817 Mineral Point Road, Madison, WI<br />
53705, (3) Department <strong>of</strong> Environmental Sciences, Wisconsin <strong>Geological</strong> and Natural History<br />
Survey, 3817 Mineral Point Road, Madison, WI 53705<br />
A field trip to Devil’s Lake State Park is an important legacy in Wisconsin’s earth science tradition.<br />
By 1872, T.C. Chamberlain was leading educational field trips to the park while he was faculty<br />
at the Whitewater Normal School (now UW-Whitewater). The combination <strong>of</strong> Precambrian and<br />
Quaternary geology in the park results in a physical geography unique in the upper-Midwest<br />
including steep bluffs <strong>with</strong> talus, moraines, folded rock, and an unconformity, all in close proximity.<br />
Today more than 100 colleges and universities lead earth science field trips to Devil’s Lake<br />
State Park and more than a million people visit the park each year for recreation. A field trip<br />
there has been conducted as a part <strong>of</strong> the Geoscience curriculum at UW-Platteville since at<br />
least the 1930’s. The trips are included in courses ranging from general education to advanced<br />
undergraduate courses. Most <strong>of</strong> the general education students are non-science majors, and this<br />
is one <strong>of</strong> the few science experiences they will have as an undergraduate. Therefore, this field trip<br />
is a crucial link for STEM recruitment and successful student exposure to science content and<br />
skills. However, every year several students are not able to meet the physical demands <strong>of</strong> the<br />
trip due to a variety <strong>of</strong> reasons (disabilities, sports injuries, physical fitness, etc.). To address this,<br />
we used mobile GIS to develop an interactive set <strong>of</strong> maps to allow these students to experience<br />
Devil’s Lake virtually along <strong>with</strong> their classmates. Building on this work, we are creating an<br />
interactive map-based mobile app and website for self-guided geology tours <strong>of</strong> the park, intended<br />
for the broader audience <strong>of</strong> smart-phone and tablet users that visit the park for recreation. As<br />
many as 31% <strong>of</strong> adults own tablets and 45% own smart-phones and they <strong>of</strong>ten use their mobile<br />
devices for “just-in-time” information. The app and mobile website will provide that real-time<br />
information about the geology <strong>of</strong> the park and it will expand access to science content and skills<br />
to recreational park users.<br />
SESSION NO. 35<br />
35-4 4:00 PM Huysken, Kristin T. [218665]<br />
PAIRED PROJECT-BASED FIELD TRIPS TO THE STARVED ROCK AREA, MATTHEISSEN<br />
AND BUFFALO ROCK STATE PARKS, AND THE ILLINOIS AND MICHIGAN CANAL STATE<br />
TRAIL – ILLINOIS<br />
HUYSKEN, Kristin T., ARGYILAN, Erin P., and VOTAW, Robert, Department <strong>of</strong> Geosciences,<br />
Indiana University Northwest, 3400 Broadway, Gary, IN 46408-1197, khuysken@iun.edu<br />
As pedagogies in undergraduate education shift toward an emphasis on discovery- and projectbased<br />
learning, incorporating field-based exercises into field trips and field trip guidebooks can<br />
enhance the application <strong>of</strong> project-centered instruction. By nature, field investigations require<br />
simultaneous application <strong>of</strong> multiple geological concepts and pedagogies (e.g., hypothesis<br />
development, data collection, application <strong>of</strong> content knowledge, interpretation, graphical/spatial<br />
analyses), and demonstrate the relevance <strong>of</strong> geo-scientific concepts in local and regional<br />
contexts.<br />
We have developed a pair <strong>of</strong> field-based projects that make use <strong>of</strong> State Parks and Natural<br />
Areas in the Starved Rock area near LaSalle, IL, including excellent exposures in Mattheissen<br />
State Park, Buffalo Rock State Park, and the Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail. Our intent is to<br />
give students level-appropriate experience in approaching real field problems and themes. We<br />
have used these field-based projects for all levels <strong>of</strong> geology students, and pre- and in-service<br />
teachers – sometimes revisiting or adding to previous projects to support student learning at<br />
a variety <strong>of</strong> levels. The projects are independently scalable in the sense that the breadth and<br />
length can be modified to accommodate different learning levels, student populations, and time<br />
allotments. They can also be paired - providing opportunities for scaffolding <strong>of</strong> geologic concepts<br />
from basic observation in two dimensions at the local scale to interpretations in three-dimensional<br />
space at the regional scale, and provide a reflective component where intellectual advancement<br />
can be demonstrated. Proximity <strong>of</strong> many Midwestern institutions to the Starved Rock area makes<br />
it an ideal location around which to develop this project.<br />
35-5 4:20 PM Kay, Suzanne Mahlburg [218102]<br />
DIGITAL AND ON-SITE FIELD TRIP GUIDES TO THE CENTRAL ANDEAN PUNA PLATEAU<br />
KAY, Suzanne Mahlburg, EAS, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, smk16@cornell.edu<br />
and COIRA, Beatriz, Conicet, Universidad de Jujuy, Jujuy, Argentina<br />
Leading field trips to remote localities <strong>with</strong> difficult logistics is a challenging aspect <strong>of</strong> viewing<br />
some <strong>of</strong> the world’s most spectacular geology. The increase in digital technology including the<br />
ability to download and modify PDF images, use satellite imagery including that freely available<br />
on Google and other websites and low cost on-line annotated color images has greatly enhanced<br />
opportunities for digital field trips that provide an alternative to print field guides. A challenge<br />
is to produce versatile field guides that allow access to these areas through digital technology<br />
in parallel <strong>with</strong> print guides to use on site where access to digital technology can be limited or<br />
expensive. A challenge in producing digital guides is adapting to constantly changing technology<br />
that make those based on free web sites hard to sustain in comparison <strong>with</strong> print guides that<br />
last for decades. In 2008, we attempted such a 7 day guide to the central Andean Puna plateau;<br />
which was published along <strong>with</strong> four others from the 2006 Meeting <strong>of</strong> the <strong>America</strong>s in Argentina<br />
in <strong>Geological</strong> <strong>Society</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>America</strong> Field Guide 13. The guide contains a disclaimer that support<br />
for vehicles is absent in most <strong>of</strong> the region, fuel may be unavailable, there are hazards in a<br />
high altitude desert at elevations <strong>of</strong> 3500-4500meters and 4-wheel vehicles <strong>with</strong> experienced<br />
drivers are needed. A road log is not provided; field sites are identified on maps <strong>with</strong> WSGS84<br />
geographic coordinates. While in a remote region, the trip features some <strong>of</strong> the world’s largest<br />
ignimbrites on the Earth’s second highest and most important volcanic plateau, mafic cinder<br />
cones, andesitic to dacitic volcanic centers including the world’s highest active center, internally<br />
drained salar and sedimentary basins, well exposed normal, thrust and strike faults, incredible<br />
alluvial fans and erosional features on the plateau margins, a complexly deformed pre-Cenozoic<br />
basement and breath taking scenery. Enough time has passed to view the guide <strong>with</strong> hindsight.<br />
We don’t know if anyone has attempted the entire trip since the guide was published, but<br />
know that parts <strong>of</strong> the guide have been used. The supporting Google site has changed <strong>with</strong><br />
improvements in higher resolution images in some areas and deterioration <strong>of</strong> the larger view in<br />
the free version as local images have been added.<br />
35-6 4:50 PM Saja, David B. [218644]<br />
GOLD PANNING: A MUSEUM FIELD TRIP, EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE, AND RESEARCH<br />
OPPORTUNITY<br />
SAJA, David B., Cleveland Museum <strong>of</strong> Natural History, 1 Wade Oval Drive, Cleveland, OH<br />
44106-1767, dsaja@cmnh.org<br />
“Gold! Gold! Gold!!!” announced the first gold panning fieldtrip run by the Cleveland Museum<br />
<strong>of</strong> Natural History in the summer <strong>of</strong> 1986. Run nearly every year since, it was originally led by<br />
two museum educators (Robert Bartolotta and JoAnn Coburn), and is now led by Bartolotta<br />
and by the Museum’s Curator <strong>of</strong> Mineralogy. Originally, the trip visited local parks just to look<br />
and not collect, but now it is run in collaboration <strong>with</strong> the Buckeye Chapter <strong>of</strong> the Gold Panning<br />
Association <strong>of</strong> <strong>America</strong> (GPAA), and travels to the Swank Claim in Richland County, a private<br />
claim registered <strong>with</strong> the state. Rivers in northern Ohio are influenced by glacially carved valleys<br />
and till deposits. Their sediment is dominated by various types and ages <strong>of</strong> glacial material from<br />
clay beds to a wide variety <strong>of</strong> erratics brought from Canada. Mining at the Swank deposit is limited<br />
to just the stream bed, which erodes an outwash valley deposit <strong>of</strong> possible pre-Wisconsinan till.<br />
During the drive from Cleveland to the claim, glacial geology, the glacial history <strong>of</strong> Ohio, and the<br />
physical geography <strong>of</strong> the glacial-outwash valley that cradles the prospect are discussed. Past<br />
human exploitation <strong>of</strong> the deposit and how it is now maintained and regulated by the state EPA<br />
and GPAA is also covered. At the claim, members <strong>of</strong> the GPAA demonstrate the technique <strong>of</strong><br />
panning for gold (acquire gravel from the river bottom and classify it by size and density to obtain<br />
concentrated heavy sand) first <strong>with</strong> a simple plastic gold pan, and then <strong>with</strong> a small dredge. A<br />
field microscope setup on the river bank allows participants to view their finds and learn the<br />
mineralogy <strong>of</strong> sand using identified prepared slides. They are surprised to learn that sand is a size<br />
classification and that its composition varies to include minerals like diamond, garnet, and rutile.<br />
Each year unique glacial cobbles and a few kilograms <strong>of</strong> concentrate, discarded after panning,<br />
are collected for research and museum specimens. The heavy black sands hold clues to the<br />
origin <strong>of</strong> these glacial sediments. From composition, sphericity, and angularity one can discern<br />
an original glacial-sand and two recent sand populations derived from the decomposition <strong>of</strong> the<br />
glacial cobbles and from local sandstones. Despite advertising “do not expect to find nuggets”,<br />
this trip remains very popular, especially in today’s economy <strong>with</strong> gold at $1,670 tr. oz.<br />
2013 GSA North-Central Section Meeting 73