FIELD TRIPS, LABS, AND RESEARCH BUILD INTEREST IN FOX LANE'S GEOLOGY COURSE

For over 20 years, the 'Advanced Physical Geology' course at Fox Lane High School in Bedford, NY has been producing from 2 to 5 future geologists each year. This talk will cover key components of the course that help keep registration strong - lab based lessons, field trips, and original research. After 4 weeks of class, every student in the class particpates on an overnight field trip to study the structure and geomorphology of the "Catskill Mural Front" at the site of the old Catskill Mt. House near Palenville, NY (http://gouldon.com/SteveK/hike_to_history.htm). In recent years we have added the exploration of a wild cave in nearby Schoharie, NY (http://www.bedford.k12.ny.us/flhs/science/cavetrip.html). Another component is an original research project done in place of a final exam. Students are required to pose a question and hypothetical answer regarding some aspect of the local geology, and then to design, conduct, and report on an experiment to test their hypotheses. Finally, the course itself is lab based - textbook readings are done outside of class, and lab activities done in class form the basis for application and discussion of processes and principles of geology. Note new email addresses: kwoodell@bedford.k12.ny.us / skluge@bedford.k12.ny.us