A FIELD TRIP TO NEW ZEALAND AS PART OF AN UNDERGRADUATE COURSE IN VOLCANOLOGY

A group of fourteen students and two faculty members from Northeastern Illinois University spent two weeks on the North Island of New Zealand as part of an undergraduate course in Volcanology. The course was sponsored by the university's International Programs Office, which provided some of the logistical support. However, in order to keep costs within the limits set by the university, the itinerary for this trip was planned by the primary faculty member, without the help of a travel agent. The faculty member was quite familiar with the areas visited, and made extensive use of backpackers (youth hostels) for lodging.

The course was opened to non-majors in order to ensure enough students signed up for the course. The class met before the field trip to learn the basics of volcanology. Teams of three students were assigned a particular volcano or volcanic field to investigate in detail. They created informational pamphlets for their classmates before the trip, gave mini-lectures at “their” volcanoes while on the trip, and gave oral presentations to classmates and other audience members after the trip.

The trip was a great deal of work to plan and lead, but it worked out very well. Having students work in teams before the trip helped the students get to know each other and learn to work together for a common goal.