DESIGN OF A GEO/EARTH SCIENCE VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP IN NEW YORK AND ADJACENT STATES

The Geo/Earth Science virtual field trip is designed for Kingsborough Community College geo/earth science students. The geologic sites that were visited are located in New York and adjacents states. In each geologic site, rocks and/or fossils were collected, strike and dip directions were measured, and coordinates were recorded and projected with their respective elevations using a professional GPS. Photographs of the studied outcrops were taken using a x10 megapixel-camera. Each geologic site has a specific learning outcome: a) structural geology in Delaware water gap, b) sedimentology and paleogeographic interpretation in Catskills, Big brook, and Ashland City, c) magmatism and ore deposits in Adirondack mountains, and d) glacier features in Long Island .

After downloading Google Earth, topographic maps, geologic maps, and photos were uploaded and integrated into Google Earth for each geologic site for students to use. Four field trip sites were, so far, completed in Google Earth and are used in classroom/lab settings. The field trip manual is designed to assist and guide students, step by step, to get access to each site on Google Earth and answer the related questions.

Working in groups, students examine the topographic /geologic maps and photos of each geologic site on Google Earth. Then, students observe the displayed rock and fossil samples and examine thin sections when needed. Finally, students answer questions relative to each geologic site.

Using this project as a Geo/Earth Science virtual field trip either as an alternative to the field trip to central park or as part of lectures help our students appreciate and better understand the geo/earth science concepts.