INVOLVING STUDENTS IN PRACTICAL FIELD AND LABORATORY STUDIES IN THE CRETACEOUS HELL CREEK FORMATION, MONTANA – FROM SAMPLE COLLECTION TO POSTER CONSTRUCTION

Geology is a hands-on science with potential to encourage a student’s passion for science. Textbooks and other resources provide a foundation for geologic knowledge, but unfortunately lack direct field and laboratory applications. Class projects that offer field and laboratory experience often lead students to a greater understanding of geologic concepts and enthusiasm for geology. Field and laboratory activities tied to presentations also represent a more realistic experience for students. Projects that include these aspects can be complex and time-consuming, but when constructed properly can serve an important educational experience for students and also yield novel scientific results. The 2008 project was in the type area of the Hell Creek Formation, Garfield County, Montana. A diversity of expertise (faculty advisor, professional geologists) and various levels of education (graduate and undergraduate students and volunteers) created a broad-spectrum educational experience for all. Some students were required and some volunteered to participate in a regularly scheduled fall field trip related to an upper division geology class. Field work included documentation, collection of samples, section measurements, global position system (GPS) readings, and field photography, which readied the students for laboratory studies during the semester. The goal was to provide materials analysis for the proposed type section of the Hell Creek Formation and to produce a Geological Society of America (GSA) poster. Graduate students were involved in design and implementation of objectives and served as field and laboratory supervisors. Students, at all academic levels, performed color determinations, sample photography, and quantitative grain-size settling analyses. These analyses indicate the presence of at least four upward-fining sequences in the proposed stratotype section of the Hell Creek Formation. Undergraduate students found this extended class project to be a beneficial learning experience increasing their knowledge and application of geologic concepts. Graduate students also used this project to gain valuable teaching and leadership experience, as well as orchestrating a multi-person research project.