BEYOND THE CLASSROOM AND THE LAB—MEANINGFUL FIELD EXPERIENCES TO ENGAGE STUDENTS IN THE GEOSCIENCES

Effective strategies to engage students in the geosciences outside of the classroom include: targeted outreach to the student and their families, meaningful connection between academic study and career opportunities, identifying cultural relevance, role modeling, mentoring, field experiences designed to involve each student in the learning process, and metacognition. Multiple four-year institutions collaborated in the design and implementation of a ten-day geology field course for urban high school students that would result in a robust learning experience beyond the classroom. The field course incorporated each of the described strategies. Preliminary review of the course’s efficacy yields evidence of student engagement in scientific observation and interpretation in the field, accurate learning of geologic concepts, and an increase in student interest in the geosciences.