FIELD TRIPS AS A TOOL FOR RECRUITMENT, RETENTION, AND EDUCATION

Field trips to rock outcrops are fundamental experiences for learning geological concepts. At Northern Virginia Community College, we have found that field trips may also be used to recruit students and nurture their connection to the earth sciences. We use field trips as a primary component of introductory-level classes, including multiple trips in a new Honors Historical Geology course. Here, we report on the relative weighting of student-focused ‘exploring’ versus professor-centered ‘touring.’ Student perspectives on field trips were collected via post-trip surveys and individual interviews. Results affirm the value of field experiences at all levels, from one-day field courses with no prerequisites to oceanographic research cruises on the Chesapeake Bay to an intensive two-week field course in the Rocky Mountains.