MINGLING INTERPRETIVE METHODS WITH GEOLOGICAL CONTENT IN CLASSROOMS AND NATIONAL PARKS

The geology of national parks has commonly been addressed through scientific research and ranger interpretive programs. The two endeavors are usually studied in different parts of a university: geology content in geoscience departments and interpretive methods in natural resources or environmental studies programs. The two have been melded at Oregon State University through a Geoscience Interpretation course and a Public Interpretation option to the B. S. degree in Earth Science. The course follows the Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) training offered by the National Association for Interpretation (NAI). Students learn interpretive methods while preparing and delivering programs focused on geology content. Graduate and undergraduate students can also earn the CIG credential by meeting NAI standards in the course. The Public Interpretation degree option is designed for undergraduates who wish to pursue careers with the National Park Service, U. S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, state parks, natural history museums, or other organizations that present geology to the public. Besides a core of basic science and geology, students take natural resource interpretation, speech communication, computer graphics, and other courses that sharpen their abilities to communicate geology in meaningful ways to the public.