LEARNING BY THE SOLES OF OUR SHOES: PLANNING FOR A FIELD EXPERIENCE ABROAD

Field experiences are an integral component of student learning in the earth sciences, providing opportunities to experience geology firsthand. An important part of a successful field experience comes long before the shoes hit the outcrop. For this field experience, we spent eight days studying the geology and ecology of the Bahamas on and around San Salvador Island at the Gerace Research Centre.

Months of preparation are essential for planning a field experience abroad. If the field location is new, gathering and reading all available field guides and literature is essential, as well as communicating with others that have lead similar field excursions. First steps include consulting your university’s study abroad office and university policies, making travel arrangements, communicating with the field station, and ensuring all students are prepared for travel (e.g. passports). Of equal importance is preparing students academically and physically for the field, including classroom meetings before travel to lay the groundwork for areas of geologic interest that they will encounter during the trip (e.g. reading materials, class discussions, and rock/fauna hand samples). During this time, professors should address student conduct and behavior expectations during the trip. Swim tests and snorkel practices are vital to ensure that all students are comfortable in water settings. Time in the classroom and pool allows the students to build camaraderie with each other as well as with their professors. Being well prepared for the field trip leads to a more rewarding and unforgettable experience for students, and a (hopefully) low-stress and academically enriching opportunity for the professors.