FIELD EXPERIENCES IN GEOSCIENCE EDUCATION

In New York State, many students entering the 9th grade will be taking Earth Science. Course topics include topographic maps, rocks, weathering, and erosion. At John Jay High School, exploration of Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Cross River, New York provides students with hands-on geoscience experiences ranging from topographic maps to weathering. This year a new elective for upperclassmen, Field Geology, focused on field explorations in geology including field trips to the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in New York and the Sterling Hill Mine in New Jersey. These upper level students also acted as field guides to the ninth grade class on their trip. Presenting to the younger students provides a way for the upperclassmen to refine and demonstrate their learning, gain confidence, and be role models. Planning field trips is an enormous task. Considerations include planning (site considerations, transportation, costs and funding), taking the students and teachers out of school, developing appropriate assessments, creating an alternative assignment for those who cannot attend, and finding sufficient chaperones. Field trips are experiential learning at its best, and these experiences turn kids on to science.